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 64
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
John Reiner, son of George, generally known as "Johnnie" Reiner, was born April 28, 1854, was born at the Reiner homestead in Porter town- ship, where he now lives, was reared upon the farm, and obtained his school- ing in the immediate locality. In 1897 he purchased the home place. It is favorably located, and he has sold part of it for building lots, following gen- eral farming on the portion he retains. He has continued to improve it sys- tematically, and has been very successful in his agricultural operations. Like his father he takes a keen interest in securing good government for the township, and has himself served as supervisor. He married Hannah Stutz- man, daughter of Israel Stutzman, of near Fountain, Hegins township, and they have had the following children: Elizabeth, who died when twenty- seven years old; John, who lives at home; Emily, wife of Albert Stephens, of Tower City; Lottie, who graduated from the Porter township high school, and has been a public school teacher in the township since 1912; and Leroy, at home. The family are members of the Evangelical Church.
FELIX H. LESHER has become an influential resident of his section of Schuylkill county by repeated demonstrations of his fitness for leader- ship. His proved efficiency and trustworthiness in a number of local posi- tions of trust have kept him in public affairs, and he is a substantial business man as well, a progressive agriculturist and successful cattle raiser.
Henry Lesher, his grandfather, came to this region from the Stone valley, in Northumberland county, Pa., settled in the Mahantongo valley, and farmed here until his death. His son, Henry Lesher, father of Felix H. Lesher, was born in the Mahantongo valley, and engaged in farming throughout his active years. He is now living retired. His wife, who died in October, 1897, was Mary Hepler, a native of Eldred township, this county, daughter of George Hepler, a farmer, who lived in Eldred township until his death. Eleven chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lesher: George, the eldest, is now living in Indiana ; Agnes, Charles and Cora are deceased ; Felix H. is next in the fam- ily; Calvin is a resident of Lansford, Pa .; Bertha is married to Harvey Wetzel, of Michigan; Laura is the wife of Huber Strause, of Lansford; Maizie is married to Hector Stoner, of Michigan; Henry is on the Mahantongo valley farm with his father; Minnie is also at home.
Felix H. Lesher was born in 1876 in the Mahantongo valley in Eldred township, and there received such education as the local public schools af- forded. His experience in farming has covered all his lifetime, for he con- tinned agricultural work when he began life on his own account, and thir- teen years ago he bought his present property, a fertile tract of eighty-six acres in Barry township. Here he has since raised general crops, and he has made a specialty of cattle raising, having developed this branch of his work, in which he has been notably successful, to profitable proportions. His enter- prise has been the means of introducing better grades of stock throughout the vicinity, many having followed his lead after he proved the wisdom of his course. Local farmers who hesitated to make the comparatively heavy invest- ment necessary to establish a valuable herd have come to see the excellent
1043
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
policy he has advocated, and its results have fully justified the change. Mr. Lesher has been chosen to a number of township offices and has made good in all the positions for which his neighbors and other friends have supported him so loyally.
On Dec. 12, 1894, Mr. Lesher married Augusta Wedde, who was born in Barry township, and they have become the parents of eleven children: Clar- ence, Thomas, Violet, Norman, Rosie, Carrie, Raymond, Gertrude, Ada, Lottie and Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Lesher unite with the German Lutheran Church.
FRANK A. SCHMELTZER, of Pottsville, has been engaged in the bottling business at that borough for over thirty years. He is a member of the third generation of his family in that place, his grandfather, Jacob Schmeltzer, having settled here in 1835.
Jacob Schmeltzer, the grandfather, was born in St. Engbert, Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, Germany, in 1797, and there passed his early life. Bringing his family to America in 1835 they landed at Philadelphia, and came thence to Pottsville by canal, arriving here Sept. 13th. He was a shoemaker by trade, but during his residence in Schuylkill county was employed at the mines. He died at St. Clair in 1855. Mr. Schmeltzer married Mary M. Ochs, a native also of St. Engbert, born in 1799, and they had a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, when they came to the United States. Four more children were born to them after they settled in America, and we have the following record of this family: George settled in Bremer county, Iowa; Peter, at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa .; John, at Tacoma, Wash .; Hannah, Mrs. Wallner, became a resident of Dakota; Mary M. is deceased; Francis made his home at Pottsville; Nicholas, a carpenter, lived at St. Clair; Anthony, a blacksmith, also settled at St. Clair; Elizabeth, Mrs. Carns, lived in Bremer county, Iowa; Gertrude is deceased. The family were all members of the German Catholic Church. The mother died in 1857.
Francis Schmeltzer, son of Jacob, was born Oct. 12, 1824, at St. Engbert, Bavaria, came to America with his parents in boyhood, and a few years later commenced work at the mines. He was thus employed at Mount Laffee, Schuylkill county, and for a number of years did different kinds of work, picking slate, driving mules, etc. By application to his duties he won the confidence of his employers, and when thirty-six years old he was made foreman at Locustdale, being so engaged for the next fifteen years. In com- pany with Charles Frantz Mr. Schmeltzer began the operation of a colliery at St. Clair, and continued thus for many years. . He was one of the first mine inspectors appointed by the government, serving a term of five years during the seventies, and when he gave up that work entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, for whom he acted as dis- trict superintendent. He held this position for about fifteen years, until his retirement, in May, 1892, because of ill health, and he spent the remainder of his days in enjoyable leisure. He died July 28, 1904. Mr. Schmeltzer was an intelligent and trustworthy man, and bore a high reputation for ability and sterling personal qualities, which gave him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. His home was at No. 1301 West Minersville street.
Mr. Schmeltzer was married Feb. 10, 1855, to Margaret Thum, of Phila- delphia, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, daughter of Jacob Thum, a
1044
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
native of the Rheinpfalz, where he died. Mrs. Schmeltzer came to America when she was a girl, and died two years after her husband. They had the following children: Elizabeth married Henry J. Ney, and they reside at Pottsville; Peter J. is a resident of Pottsville; Frank A. is next in the family ; Mary died unmarried; Margaret died when fourteen years old; Lena is de- ceased; Joseph J., of Pottsville, married Louisa Sterner, of Pottsville; John F. is in business with his brother as a member of the firm of Schmeltzer Brothers; George E. is deceased.
Frank A. Schmeltzer was born Feb. 14, 1863, at Locustdale, Pa. He received a public school education and in his boyhood commenced working at the collieries, where he was engaged for two years. He then found employ- ment in the spike and bolt works at Pottsville, where he remained for about eight years, in 1883 becoming associated with three of his brothers, Peter, John and Joseph, in the bottling business at Pottsville. The business has been successful from the beginning, but two of the brothers have withdrawn, and the works are now owned and operated by Frank A. and John F. Schmelt- zer, who do business under the name of Schmeltzer Brothers. Their place of business is at No. 9 North Thirteenth street, at Market street. They are engaged in the production of high-grade carbonated beverages, also bottling porter, ale and beer. They make a specialty of their Gold Seal and Red Label Ginger Ale, for which there is a large demand, not only in Pottsville, but all over Schuylkill county. They keep two teams constantly busy. The Schmelt- zer Brothers are regarded as trustworthy, honorable business men, and have maintained the high standard set by their honored father.
Frank A. Schmeltzer married Mary T. Shank, daughter of Frederick W. Shank, and they have five children, namely: Florence, George, Edwin, Agnes and Margaret, the last named deceased. They reside at No. 1301 West Nor- wegian street. Mr. Schmeltzer belongs to St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and to the Holy Name Society.
WALDYSLUW RAYKOWSKI, of Shenandoah, where he is best known as J. W. Raykowski, is carrying on a thriving business in that borough as a shoe dealer, and by honorable treatment of all his patrons has become one of the popular merchants there. He is a native of Russian Poland, born June 27, 1872, at Gonsewe, son of Stanislaw Raykowski, who was born at the same place and died when his son Waldysluw was six years old. The father fol- lowed farming in his native land all his life, and he and the mother Leonora ( Bartut) are buried at Szelun, near the village of Gonsewe. They were mem- bers of the Polish Roman Catholic Church. They had eight children: An- thony, who was drowned when twenty-two years old; Frank; Alexander, a farmer, who served nine years in the Russian army; Rosalya ; John, a clerk in the post office at Pultsk, Poland; Waldysluw (in English Walter) ; Enoch, and Ignace. Frank, the elder brother, reared all his brothers.
Waldysluw Raykowski received his education in the government schools in his native country, whose teachers are appointed by the authorities, and was reared in agricultural surroundings, helping with the farm work until twelve years old. He was then apprenticed for three years to Stanislaw Konopsinski, to learn shoemaking, and at the end of that period received his traveling card, showing him to be a qualified journeyman shoemaker. He visited different places, following his trade, and the last place at which he did shoemaking in his own land was Makuf, near his old home. By this
-
1045
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
time he had begun to feel that he would like to see for himself what advantages the New World had to offer, and he was ambitious to become a merchant. So he left the country of his birth, traveled through Germany to Hamburg, and there took passage for Glasgow, whence he sailed for America, landing at New York City. He was accompanied by a friend who had been to this coun- try before, and they continued their journey to Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where Mr. Raykowski worked at the breaker for two months. Then he found employment at his trade, working one year with Roman Smoczynski, shoe dealer; five months with John Slattery; three months with Alfred Morgan, shoe dealer; after which he left Shenandoah for Reynoldsville, Jef- ferson Co., Pa., where he was engaged for two years in the soft coal mines. Returning to Schuylkill county he took a position with Frank Bakula, in Mahanoy City, in whose employ he remained over a year, and he has since been located in Shenandoah. Here for eleven years he was with William Nawitzki, shoe dealer, until he ventured into the business on his own account, in May, 1906; he has an up-to-date store on Centre street, carries a fine line of goods, and also conducts a first-class repair shop in connection which is as well patronized as the store. Mr. Raykowski learned his business thoroughly in youth, and has found his training invaluable in both branches, being an excel- lent judge of manufactured goods and a skilled workman, perfectly able to turn his hand to any detail of shoemaking. He is well known and favorably thought of among his own countrymen at Shenandoah, being a member in good standing of two Polish societies, the Narodny Slovensky Spolok and Zwwnzek Narodny Polski, and treasurer of the former. He also belongs to the Order of Owls, and is a governor in that body. In religion he is a Catholic, a mem- ber of St. Kasimir's Polish Church. In politics he supports the Republican party.
Mr. Raykowski married Jadwija Klosowski, who was born Jan. 21, 1883, in Warsaw, Poland, where she received her education, coming to America with her mother when twelve years old. They have had two children: Hubert Stanislaw, born Nov. 13, 1900, died when eleven months old; one child died unnamed.
Mrs. Raykowski's father, Tomos Klosowski, was born in the county of Warsaw, Poland, and was an innkeeper in his native country, serving meals to farmers, travelers, etc. When he gave up that business he removed to the city of Warsaw, where he remained awhile, and left his family there while he set out to find a new home for them. For a time he was in Liverpool, England, where he was engaged in peddling, and then he came to America and settled at Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where his family joined him, and where he did outside work at the mines. Mr. Klosowski married Ustina Szauer, whose parents were lost in the Revolution of 1870, for which reason she was brought up by her grandmother. The latter's children were engaged in differ- ent trades. To Mr. and Mrs. Klosowski were born two children: Mrs. Ray- kowski, with whom the mother now makes her home; and Bertha, married to Martin McClelland and living at Malvern, Pa. The family are members of St. Kasimir's Roman Catholic Church at Shenandoah.
JOHN LEHR, now living retired, has been a lifelong resident of Pine Grove township and the immediate vicinity, and was born in that township June 30. 1843. His grandfather was a pioneer farmer of this section.
Henry Lehr, father of John Lehr, was born in Pine Grove township in
1046
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
1812, and died in 1895. He married Mary Minnick, also a native of the town- ship, where her father, Adam Minnick, was an early settler and followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Lehr had a family of nine children, of whom only two survive at this writing, John and Susan, the latter the wife of John Derr, of Tremont.
John Lehr was reared in Pine Grove township and attended school in the neighborhood. Though only a youth when the war broke out he soon enlisted, from Pine Grove, on Feb. 8, 1862, joining Company G, 107th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three years. On Feb. 28, 1864, he was discharged, the same day reenlisted in the same company and regiment, and served to the close of the war. He was discharged July 13, 1865, as corporal. The many bat- tles in which he took part include Cedar Mountain, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg (where he was wounded). Returning to Pine Grove township at the close of the war he turned his energies to the carpenter's trade, and subsequently entered the mines near Cherryville, being so engaged until he retired from active work. He has been chosen by his fellow citizens for various public duties, having served efficiently as clerk and assessor of Tremont township. In religion he united with the Republican denomination, belonging to St. Paul's Church and taking a leading part in the conduct of the Sunday school, of which he is treasurer. He is a member of Washington Camp, No. 49, P. O. S. of A., and of Wolf Post, G. A. R., of Pine Grove. Of upright character and useful life, he is thoroughly respected wherever his work calls him. His home is at Cherryville.
In 1867 Mr. Lehr married Emma Russell, of Pine Grove township, daugh- ter of William and Susan Russell, and they are the parents of the following children: William, who is deceased; John L., living in Philadelphia; Mary Ann, wife of Robert Weinrich, of Cherryville; Lillie Mae, deceased; Charles O., deceased; James E., of Pine Grove township; Elizabeth, deceased; Sadie S., wife of William Marshall, of Cherryville; and Cora E., wife of Harry E. Lengle, of Hershey, Pennsylvania.
CHARLES OSCAR REED has a thriving blacksmith and wheelwright business at McKeansburg, where he has made a good reputation as a mechanic and justly earned a name for sound character. His family is of old Berks county stock, his grandfather, Daniel Reed, having been a native of Maxa- tawny township, that county. He was a farmer, owning a large tract of land, and he and his wife are buried in Berks county. Only two of their children survive: William, a blacksmith of West Penn township, Schuylkill county, who married Elizabeth Miller; and Daniel, who is unmarried. The family adhered to the German Lutheran Church.
Henry A. Reed, father of Charles O. Reed, was educated in Albany town- ship, Berks county. He became a blacksmith, and followed that trade all his life in Albany township, where he died aged fifty-seven years. By his mar- riage to Kate Feinour, daughter of Joseph Feinour, he had children as fol- lows: Horace, William, David, James, Charles O., Oliver and Kate ( Mrs. Berger). The father and mother are buried at New Bethel Church, in Albany township, Berks county.
Charles Oscar Reed was born Jan. 7, 1882, received his education in the schools of Albany township, and learned the blacksmith's trade with his father. After serving his apprenticeship he went to Shoemakersville and entered the
1047
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
employ of George Althouse, with whom he remained over a year, thence mov- ing to Tamaqua, where he worked for George Bond over a year. Leaving there he went back to Albany township, and began business for himself, after three years of experience in that location coming to McKeansburg, where he bought the place he is now occupying. He does general shop work, painting, black- smithing, horseshoeing and wheelwrighting. He has now been doing business at McKeansburg for about eight years, during which time he has been gaining steadily in the esteem of his fellow citizens. His energies have not been given entirely to business, however, for he has found much to interest him in the town where he has established his home. He is a past councilor of Protec- tion Council, No. 935, Order of Independent Americans, at McKeansburg, and district treasurer for the Pension Life Society of Pittsburgh. As a member of Christ Lutheran Church of McKeansburg he has aided in its work, and has been especially active in the Sunday school. Politically he is independent.
Mr. Reed was married to Stella May Boyer, daughter of Lewis W. Boyer, and they have had three children: Florence Irene, born in November, 1910; Oscar Henry, born in March, 1912; and an infant yet unnamed.
Samuel Boyer, great-grandfather of Mrs. Charles O. Reed, was a farmer, owning a small tract of land. He died aged about sixty years, and is buried with his wife in the cemetery of the Frieden's Church at New Ringgold. He belonged to the Lutheran congregation there, and was a Democrat in politics. Mrs. Boyer's maiden name was Lutz, and she was the mother of the follow- ing children: Henry married Polly Lorah; Samuel went West; Louisa mar- ried Jacob Petery; Mary married Frederick Pflueger; Jacob was the grand- father of Mrs. Reed.
Jacob Boyer was educated in East Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, assisted his father on the farm, and also did wood chopping. Later he bought a farm of eighty acres in East Brunswick township, upon which he remained the rest of his life. He married Anna Moyer, daughter of Matthias and Magdalena (Bachert) Moyer, and they became the parents of two children : Mary, who married John Stemmler, of Walker township, Schuylkill county ; and Lewis W., who is the father of Mrs. Reed. The father died at the age of fifty-eight years, the mother when fifty-five years old, and they are buried at New Ringgold, in the Frieden's Church cemetery. They were members of the Lutheran congregation there. Mr. Boyer was a Democrat in political opinion.
Lewis W. Boyer was born Nov. 27, 1861, in East Brunswick township, where he was reared and educated. For a time he worked around among farm- ers, and later was employed at Eckerts Furnaces, New Ringgold, and at the Maryd mines, Tuscarora, doing carpenter work for eleven years.
Mr. Boyer married Emma Naugle, daughter of John Naugle, a native of Cornwall, Lebanon Co., Pa., and by that union had four children: John Jacob, unmarried, who lives at Elizabeth, N. J .; Stella May, Mrs. Charles O. Reed; Maude, Mrs. Harvey Eisenhower; and Lewis, deceased. The mother died, and Mr. Boyer married (second) Emma Pitts, by whom he has the fol- lowing children : May, Roy, Walter and Clara. He is a Democrat in politics.
JESSE M. ROMBERGER, of Valley View, has in the few years of his business life there shown himself worthy of the patronage of the community, and his well conducted bakery has become deservedly popular with the townspeople. Combining ability in the management of his affairs with a
1048
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
thorough practical knowledge of his trade, he has the prospect of a useful and prosperous career.
Born in 1886 at Helfenstein, Schuylkill county, he comes of an old family of Dauphin county, this State, where his great-grandfather was born. His grandfather, William Romberger, was an old resident of the Lykens valley in that county. During the Civil war he enlisted from either Snyder or Perry county, Pa., for the Union service, and was accidentally drowned while on his way home after the close of the war. James M. Romberger, father of Jesse M. Romberger, was born at Gratz, Dauphin Co., Pa., and is now living retired at Pitman, Schuylkill county. Throughout his active years he was engaged in merchandising, having a general store at Helfenstein, this county, for five years, and he also did business at Valley View and Pitman. He married Josephine Sigfried, who was born in Columbia county, Pa., daughter of an old settler of that county, and they are the parents of nine children, namely: Walter W., the eldest, is now engaged in business at Pit- man, dealing in general merchandise and agricultural implements; John is a resident of Cressona, this county; Elwood is deceased; Jesse M. is next in the family ; James is living in California; one daughter is the wife of Elias Wetzel, of Pitman; Raymond and Jennie are deceased; Edna is the wife of Victor Snyder, of Pitman.
Jesse M. Romberger grew up at Helfenstein and received a public school education. He learned his trade at Valley View, serving his apprenticeship with a Mr. Keifer, and six years ago became established in the business there on his own account. By supplying his customers with high-class goods he has had a steadily increasing trade, and he has endeavored to merit the good will and substantial approval of his patrons. He has allied himself with local affairs outside of business, having joined the I. O. O. F. lodge and P. O. S. of A. camp at Valley View, and he and his wife hold membership in the Church of God.
On Nov. 17, 1906, Mr. Romberger was married to Sallie Klinger, of Sacramento, Schuylkill county, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Upde- grave) Klinger, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Klinger was a farmer in the valley. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Romberger, namely : Verna, Josephine, Melvin and Bernice.
HOWARD DENGLER is farming the same tract in Barry township where his father and grandfather found the main occupation of their active years, the family being one of recognized worth and old standing in this portion of Schuylkill county. The grandfather, Francis F. Dengler, was born at Orwigsburg, this county, and was the first of the family to settle on the farm now owned and operated by his grandson. However, he did not give all his time to its cultivation, conducting a store and hotel at Taylors- ville, where he was the first postmaster, the office being known as Barry. He died on his farm.
Henry F. Dengler, father of Howard Dengler, was born on his father's farm in Barry township and always made his home on that place, spending all his active years in improving and working it. During the Civil war he served as a Union soldier in the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment and took part in many battles, being wounded at Gettysburg. He was a member of the G. A. R. post at Ashland. Mr. Dengler married Mary Yoder, who was born in the Mahantongo valley, where her father, Reuben Yoder, was an
1049
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
early settler, and a prosperous farmer. Mrs. Dengler died Jan. 25, 1910, Mr. Dengler Nov. 6, 1912. Their family consisted of three children: Katherine, the eldest, is the wife of Monroe Kimmell, of Barry township; Howard is the only son; Emma is the wife of Harry E. Hoch, a merchant at Taylorsville, Barry township.
Howard Dengler was born in 1869 on the paternal homestead, where he now lives. His education was gained in the local schools and he was thor- oughly trained in farm work on the home place. For a number of years he gave up agriculture, living at Gilberton seven years and in Frackville five years-both towns in Schuylkill county. Returning to the farm, he has resided there ever since, endeavoring to make the most of a valuable property, whose fine condition is a credit to the locality and a certain indication of his thrift and up-to-date ideas. Mr. Dengler has lined himself with the progressive ele- ment in Barry township on questions of general interest, and as a member of the school board has served his fellow citizens most acceptably, representing them faithfully and using his influence to carry out their wishes.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.