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 65
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In 1892 Mr. Dengler was married to Sallie Miller, a native of Lewistown, Pa., daughter of George G. and Sarah (Reed) Miller, both of whom died in Hegins township, this county. Mr. Miller conducted a store in that township. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dengler: Daniel, who is now located at Gilberton, this county; Harry, at home; Emma, residing at Frack- ville; and George, Katie, Robert, Elsie, Russell, Bertha and Carrie, all at home. Mr. Dengler and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church.
LYMAN A. HUBER, of Pine Grove, foreman at the Lincoln colliery, is a grandson of John Huber, one of the pioneers of the town, who died in Pine Grove township. In his early life he was a farmer, later engaged in the coal business. Of his ten children Washington is the only survivor. David was a soldier in both the Mexican and Civil wars, died at the age of seventy-seven years, and is buried at Pine Grove; Jefferson (twin of Washington), who was in the Union service during the Civil war, is also buried at Pine Grove.
Washington Huber, father of Lyman A. Huber, was born in Pine Grove, and during his residence there was employed at railroad work. About 1887 he moved to Harrisburg, Pa., where he has since made his home, engaged on public works. He married Sarah Hehn, who was born in Washington town- ship, Schuylkill county, where her father, Absalom Hehn, was a farmer until his death. Mr. Hehn was a Civil war veteran, and one of his sons also en- tered the army during that war, dying while in the service. Absalom Hehn had a large family, one sons and three daughters still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Washington Huber were born seven children: Lyman A. is the eldest; Harry, who lives at Harrisburg, is a conductor on the Pennsylvania railroad ; Linnie, also of Harrisburg, an employe at the Statehouse; James, who was killed while in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; Ivy E., chief clerk in the health department at Harrisburg; Frank, a resident of Reading, Pa .; and Charles, who was killed in March, 1899, while in the service of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company.
Lyman A. Huber was born June 20, 1863, and was reared at Pine Grove, receiving his education in the public schools there. When seventeen years old he commenced to work at the Lincoln colliery, where he has been engaged con- tinuously since, being now mine foreman. A man of reliable habits and exem-
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plary character, he won promotion on his own merits, and he holds the esteem of his fellow inen in all the relations of life.
Mr. Huber was married Nov. 13, 1883, to Kate Heckman, who was born in Hamburg, Pa., daughter of Isaac and Eliza ( Madara) Heckman, of Ham- burg, where they died and are buried. They had a family of six children : Ella, wife of Benjamin Shaddow, of Philadelphia; Lucy, wife of Francis Shaler, living at Hamburg; Sarah, widow of Peter Seidel, of Pine Grove; Mary, wife of James Shomo, of Reading; Kate, Mrs. Lyman A. Huber ; and Orphemus, the only son, deceased.
Mr. Huber and his wife have had one daughter, Lutie, now the wife of Ross Crull, of Harrisburg. Mr. and Mrs. Crull have one child, Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Huber are church members at Pine Grove. He has belonged to the Patriotic Order Sons of America since 1882.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS (deceased), was a skilled miner for many years employed at the Silver Creek colliery in Blythe township, where his sons are now engaged. The Welsh are numerously represented among the coal mine employes in this section of Pennsylvania and have always been classed among its industrious and reliable citizens. The Williams family has been no excep- tion to this rule. They have been well and favorably known at New Phila- delphia for a long period, William Williams, father of the late William Williams, having carried on the hotel business there very successfully. He died in that borough. His children were: Evan, who now lives at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county; William; Llewellyn, deceased; Thomas, deceased; Alice, wife of Solomon Silliman, of Ashland, Pa .; Mary, wife of Walter Wallace, of Ashland; Sarah, Mrs. Thomas Murry ; and Annie, Mrs. William Murry.
William Williams, son of William Williams, above, was born at New Philadelphia, and worked at the collieries in this region, in time becoming a competent miner. As such he was in the employ of the Philadelphia & Read- ing Coal & Iron Company at their Silver Creek colliery, a large and important mine, being last occupied in the Big Vein workings. He was a man of good habits and honorable life, and held the respect of all who knew him. His death occurred at New Philadelphia Jan. 27, 1896, and he is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Pottsville, this county. Fraternally he affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Williams married Annie Edwards, and they became the parents of three children, all of whom reside with their mother: William, who is em- ployed as timber clerk at the Silver Creek colliery; Edward, who is a car- penter there; and Anna, who attended public school at New Philadelphia, graduated from the commercial school at Pottsville, and is now a public school teacher at New Philadelphia.
Edward Edwards, father of Mrs. Annie ( Edwards) Williams, was born in Wales, and coming to the United States settled at Minersville, in Schuyl- kill county. Pa., where he followed farming. He married Keziah Jones, daughter of Daniel Jones, also of Wales, and they had a family of eight children, viz .: William, Annie ( Mrs. Williams), Catherine, Daniel, Edward, John, Thomas and George.
ALEXANDER HUNTER has been a thrifty agriculturist in Barry town- ship, Schuylkill county, for a number of years, having returned to the occu-
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pation of his youth after over a quarter of a century's experience in mine work. In connection with general farming he is making a specialty of dairy- ing, in which branch of his work he takes great pride, his readiness in adopting modern ideas being largely responsible for his success.
Mr. Hunter's parents, Alexander and Mary (Todd) Hunter, were natives of Scotland, and were reared, educated and married in that country. Com- ing to America when a young couple, they arrived at New York, made a short stay there, and next moved to Philadelphia, Pa. Soon afterwards they made a permanent settlement in Clarks valley, in Dauphin county, Pa., and Mr. Hunter gave all his attention to farming in the latter part of his active life. He spent his last days in retirement at Williamstown, Dauphin county, where his death occurred. Mrs. Hunter died at Harrisburg, Pa. Of their eight children, four were born in Scotland, Jeanette, Mary, Margaret and Christina. Belle, Susan, George and Alexander were born in this country. Jeanette and Alexander are the only members of the family now surviving.
Born Oct. 4, 1854, in Clarks valley, Dauphin county, Alexander Hunter was reared there and attended school in the vicinity. Meantime he helped with the farm work at home, but in his young manhood he turned to mine work, which he followed for a period of twenty-six years. Having decided to go back to farm work, he settled on his present farm in Barry township, Schuylkill county, some eight years ago, buying the tract of fifty-eight acres which he has since been cultivating. Besides raising general crops he has given particular attention to dairying, which he carries on in an up-to-date manner, complying fully with the strict sanitary regulations of the day. He is esteemed by all his neighbors as a citizen worthy of their respect and confidence, highly regarded for his many dependable qualities.
Mr. Hunter married Jeanetta McFee, who was born in Scotland, but has lived in this country from early girlhood. Her father, William McFee, now lives with his son at Mount Carmel, Northumberland Co., Pa .; Mrs. McFee is deceased. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunter: Mary, the eldest, is married and living at Scranton, Pa .; William, who lives in Schuylkill county, is in the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Company ; John resides at Shamokin, Pa .; Margaret is the wife of Elias Hepler, of Rock- town, Schuylkill county; Roy, Archie, Ann and Ruth are at home; four are deceased.
HENRY McNOLDY, of Sharadin, who owns and operates a teaming business, is one of the substantial citizens of Porter township. He was born at Norristown, Montgomery Co., Pa., in 1861, a son of William and Mary A. (Miller) McNoldy. William McNoldy was born in the same section as his son, Henry, and was there reared. For some time he was engaged driving a powder team between Philadelphia and Pottsville. In 1862 he removed to Schuylkill county, locating near Tremont, where he was employed as a hostler for the following twenty-five years. He then moved to Gratz and was engaged for some years in operating a pump at Bear Valley. His death occurred when he was seventy-eight years old. The mother died at the age of seventy-one years, and both are buried at Gratz. Their children were as follows: Daniel, David, a son that died in infancy unnamed, Jacob, Henry, and Sarah (who became Mrs. Charles Zerfing).
During his boyhood Henry McNoldy worked among the farmers in Hegins and Hubley townships, Schuylkill county, and later on went to the West
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Brookside colliery, where for seventeen years he was employed on the hoist- ing engine at No. I slope. At the expiration of this period he began doing hauling and teaming at Tower City, and developed the very profitable busi- ness which he is still operating. As his earnings accumulated Mr. McNoldy invested them in Porter township property, which has since increased in value. During his years of usefulness Mr. McNoldy has never shirked any task laid upon him, but has performed what he believed to be his full duty, and the prosperity to which he has attained has been honestly and fairly won.
Henry McNoldy was married to Sarah Alice Snyder, of Gratz, who was born at Berrysburg, Pa., daughter of Jacob Snyder, and died Jan. 3, 1912. She is buried in Greenwood cemetery, Tower City, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Noldy became the parents of the following children: Alfred Daniel, who is a carpenter, of Minersville, Pa., married Hilda Kaufman, daughter of Claude Kaufman, and they have two children, Fay E. and Henry Earle; Jacob, who is living at Tower City, married Mrs. Cecilia (Bush) Fisher, widow of Albert Fisher (they have no children) ; Charles Edward married Nevattah Maria Schaffer, daughter of Lucas Peter Schaffer, and has three children, Edward Charles, Margaret A., and Alma Althea.
ROBERT P. MILLER, for a number of years outside foreman at the Oak Hill colliery, in Cass township, was formerly engaged in educational work in Schuylkill county. He made a high record for efficiency in the profession, but while following it was also engaged in mine work, some years ago deciding to give all his time to that calling. His success has justified his choice. Mr. Miller belongs to an old Schuylkill county family, of German extraction, his grandfather, Philip Miller, having been a native of Germany. Coming to this country, he settled in Montgomery county, Pa., and followed farming there until his death.
George G. Miller, father of Robert P. Miller, was born in Montgomery county, Pa., and spent his early life there, coming to Schuylkill county when a young man. He located in Hegins township. Having received an excel- lent education he taught school for thirteen terms, and then engaged in the general store business at Sacramento, in Hubley township, this county. Sub- sequently he followed the general mercantile business at Bloomsburg and Hazleton, Pa., for a short time, returning to Schuylkill county and to Hubley township, where he resumed business, carrying on his store for a number of years. He retired about five years before his death, which occurred March 9, 1909; he is buried at Sacramento. In his day he was one of the most pop- ular officials of that part of Schuylkill county. For seventeen years he served as justice of the peace of Hubley township; was mercantile appraiser of the county ; established the post office at Springdale, in Hubley township, then known as Artz, and served as postmaster there for many years. His son, J. I. Miller, now carries on his father's old store there, and is also serving as postmaster, the post office at present being known as Spring Glen. George G. Miller was one of the best known Democrats in Schuylkill county in his generation. His wife, Sarah R. (Reed), daughter of Philip Reed, survived him a few years, dying in March, 1913. They were the parents of four- teen children, several of whom are deceased. We have record of the fol- lowing: Amanda, Mary, Lydia, Phebe (deceased), Sallie, Emma, Robert P. and J. I., previously mentioned.
Robert P. Miller was born April 19, 1871, in Hubley township, Schuyl-
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kill county, and was reared there, receiving his early education in the local schools. He began mine work when nine years old in the usual way, picking slate at the breaker, but continued his studies until he had completed a course at the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa., from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1891. He soon began teaching public school, and was so engaged in Hubley, Frailey and Hegins townships, Schuylkill county, continuing the profession for twelve years in all. While attending school and teaching he followed mine work during the summer seasons, and in 1901 he took a position at Duncott, in Cass township, with the Oak Hill Coal Company. He was clerk in the company store for a year and a half, and on Jan. I, 1903, was given his present position, becoming outside foreman of the Oak Hill colliery, one of the important producing coal properties in Cass township. Mr. Miller's capabilities and energetic disposition have been felt in every department of the work here, and his efficiency has won the thor- ough commendation of his employers, as well as the respect of those under his charge. Mr. Miller is a member of the German Lutheran Church at Minersville, and socially he is connected with the Knights of Malta.
In 1889 Mr. Miller married Annie Shade, daughter of David Shade, of Hubley township, and they have had four children, namely: Mollie, the wife of J. Grant Du Boise, has two children, Robert and Mabel (they reside in Philadelphia) ; Minnie is the wife of LeRoy Updegraph, and has two children, Miriam and Robert (they live at Duncott, this county) ; Hattie is attending school; Roy is deceased.
OLIVER C. THOMPSON, a well known business man of Tower City, is a son of the late Robert Thompson and a grandson of Alexander Thomp- son, the founder of the family in this section.
Alexander Thompson was a native of Scotland, and came to this country during his young manhood. The rest of his life was spent in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he was widely and favorably known during his active, useful career. He first settled at Middleport, where he was engaged in hauling machinery, timber, etc., and later lived at the York Farm, near Pottsville, which he bought, cultivating that tract for many years. He also had small drifts opened on the property and sold coal to the public, this being the first coal taken from the workings later developed into the famous York Farm colliery. After a long residence there he removed to Porter township, in 1854, being one of the early settlers in this section, where he bought a farm of 110 acres, from which he subsequently sold a number of building lots for the town of Sharadin, which was laid out in 1869. This was his home until his death, which occurred Dec. 4, 1873; he is buried in the Greenwood cemetery in Porter township. Besides farming, Mr. Thomp- son also engaged in milling in Porter township, building a gristmill upon his tract which was known in his day as Thompson's mill. It was sold to Grimm & Womer, and later to the Reading Company, the present owners of the land. Mr. Thompson was a man of intelligence and strong character, and in his day was one of the most influential men in this section.
By his first marriage, to Isabella Pennman, Mr. Thompson had nine children: George was killed at York Farm; David P., deceased, was a soldier in the Civil war; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Hiram Kimmel ; Janette married Benjamin Houtz; William died while serving in the Civil war; Alexander is living at Lykens, Pa .; Robert is deceased; Isabella is the
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widow of George Powell; James is living in West Virginia. For his second wife Mr. Thompson married Mary Bast, daughter of Isaac Bast, and by this union there was also a large family: Isaac B .; George, who is now living in Alaska; Mary, wife of Daniel Stout; John, residing at Sharadin, Pa .; Andrew, a resident of Michigan; Charles, deceased; Abraham, deceased; Winfield S., of Michigan ; William U. S. G., deceased; Elmer E., of Sharadin ; and Rebecca M., wife of Hoplin Evans, living on the old Thompson home- stead in Porter township.
Robert Thompson, son of Alexander Thompson, was born at York Farm, and died in 1909. During the greater part of his life he was engaged at mine work, being employed for many years at the Brookside colliery, at Tower City. He served three years as supervisor of Porter township, and was looked upon as a citizen of substantial character, deservedly respected by all who knew him. His wife, Lydia (Goodman), died in 1883, and they are buried in the Greenwood cemetery near Tower City. They were the parents of four children: Oliver C .; Laura Louise, who is the wife of Charles McGough, of Frankford, Pa .; Abel, living in Porter township; and Benjamin, who died young.
Oliver C. Thompson was born Dec. 13, 1875, in Rush township, Dauphin Co., Pa., and had an average common school education. He followed mine work for about twenty years, beginning as a boy at the breaker, picking slate, later acted as door boy, and so on through the various grades until he became a regular miner. He gave up mining in 1902, when he engaged in the hotel business, and he has been so occupied ever since. In 1910 he became proprietor of the well known "Mansion House" at Tower City, which has prospered very well under his judicious management, receiving a very good share of the local patronage. Mr. Thompson was a charter member of the Volunteer Hose Company of Tower City, and his social connections are with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Loyal Order of Moose and Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Thompson married Blanch Charlesworth, daughter of Edward Charles- worth, of Tower City. She died July 1, 1915, and is buried in the Greenwood cemetery in Porter township. Five children were born to this union :. Ruth, Anna, Blanch, Mildred and Arline.
HARRY E. HOCH is now established as a general merchant at Taylors- ville, Barry township, after twenty-five years as a farmer in that township, where he has lived from boyhood. As a citizen he has shown himself worthy the confidence of his fellow men in all the relations of life, and the personal esteem he commands is the result of a career of integrity and honest purpose.
Mr. Hoch's grandfather, Thomas Hoch, was a native of Schuylkill county, a farmer, and followed that occupation after settling in Barry township. During the Civil war he enlisted in the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and he was killed in battle.
Joseph Hoch, son of Thomas, was born near Minersville, and passed all his life in this county, dying in 1887 at Ashland. He began life for himself as a mine worker, and was always employed in the collieries. He married Elizabeth Millard, who was born in the Roaring creek valley, in Columbia county, Pa., and was of Quaker stock which came from Berks county about 1785, settling at an early day in Columbia county. Mrs. Hoch died in 1889. Of the six children born to them, Thomas, the eldest, is living in the State
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of Colorado; Joseph is deceased; Millard lives in Arkansas ; Harry E. is men- tioned below; Katie and Elizabeth are deceased.
Harry E. Hoch was born in 1874 in Ashland, this county, where he was reared and obtained a public school education. He lived there until fourteen years old, at which age he came to Barry township and started life on his own account, following farming for the next twenty-five years. In July, 1913, Mr. Hoch engaged in the general mercantile business at Taylorsville, to which he is now giving the principal share of his time and attention, and in which he has succeeded by the same methods that brought him prosperity in his agri- cultural operations. He is a prominent member of the P. O. S. of A. at Taylorsville, and he is serving as treasurer of the camp. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.
In 1896 Mr. Hoch was married to Emma Dengler, daughter of Henry F. Dengler, and they have one child, Emma Marie.
IRVIN H. BIXLER, blacksmith, now located at Valley View, has had a shop of his own since 1906 and commands a profitable trade. Born at Val- ley View in 1880, he is a son of Emanuel Bixler and grandson of David Bixler, an early settler in the Mahantongo valley, where he farmed and made his home until his death.
Emanuel Bixler was born at Valley View and is now a resident of the town of Hegins. For over thirty years he has been engaged at work in the mines, and he is much respected in Hegins township, where he is at present filling the office of supervisor. He married Elmira Fetterolf, daughter of Elias Fetterolf, an old resident of this section of Schuylkill county, now living at Hegins. To this marriage were born the following children: Irvin H .; Rufus, who is a resident of Hegins; David, who lives with his parents at Hegins; Lillie, wife of Charles Schadler, of Hegins; Elizabeth, wife of David Artz, of Valley View ; Mamie, wife of Irvin Artz, of Hegins ; Elwin, of Hegins ; Verna, wife of Christopher Hoffstetter, of Tremont, this county; Gertrude, Iva and Weelah, at home.
Irvin H. Bixler grew up in Hegins township, in his boyhood attending the public schools, and he learned his trade at Hegins from James Schucker, after- wards working for other employers until he engaged in the business for him- self. In 1906 he became the owner of a shop at Hegins, where he did business until his removal to Valley View. He is a first-class workman, and his indus- try and good management have been well rewarded, for he is kept constantly busy with a great variety of work. His high personal character makes him an esteemed member of the community, where he is well known socially, belong- ing to Washington Camp No. 45, P. O. S. of A., at Valley View, and to the Valley View Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., of which he is a past councilor.
In September, 1913, Mr. Bixler married Sadie Lucas, of Summit Station, this county, daughter of Charles and Kate (Keanie) Lucas, old residents of Schuylkill county ; Mr. Lucas is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bixler are men- bers of the Church of God.
HARRY P. GABLE, outside foreman at the East and West Brookside col- lieries, at Tower City, has won his way to his present position of prestige through earnest and faithful discharge of all the duties intrusted to him. It has been his fortune to have recognized his opportunities as they have appeared, to have made the most of them, and to have fairly won the respect and con-
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fidence of those with whom he has been associated. Mr. Gable was born at Shenandoah, Schuylkill Co., Pa., June 23, 1878, son of Philip H. and Mary ( Haglegantz) Gable and a grandson of Ludwig Gable.
Ludwig Gable was born in Germany, from which country he came to the United States in 1854, settling at Pottsville, Pa. For a time he worked in the mines, but later turned his attention to agricultural work, and also did hauling. He died at the home of his son, Philip, at Shenandoah, in 1904, and was laid to rest in the I. O. O. F. cemetery at Pottsville. The mother had passed away at Pottsville in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Gable were the parents of the following children: Margaret, the wife of William Soell; Augustus Daniel, who is out- side district superintendent of mines at Shenandoah; Philip H .; Helena, who is the wife of Thomas Dower; Annie, who is the wife of Charles Sweinbold ; Ludwig, of Philadelphia; Kate, the wife of Charles Schultz; and Elizabeth, the wife of William Hoehn.
Philip H. Gable was born at Pottsville, Pa., and in his youth learned the trade of carpenter, a vocation which he followed industriously at Shenandoah until 1895. Then he became pumping engineer, and has been so employed since with the Reading Company, at the West Shenandoah colliery, being one of that concern's trusted employes. His first wife, who was born in Germany, died in 1884, and is buried at Shenandoah. There were four children by this union : Annie, who married William Gradwell; Harry P .; Martha, who mar- ried Howard Perry; and C. Lewis, a stenographer in the post office depart- ment, at Washington, D. C., who married Catherine Hinkle. Philip H. Gable was married a second time, to May Yeager, and they have five children: Eliz- abeth, the wife of Joseph Snyder ; May P., who married L. I. Winch ; and Mar- garet, Ruth and Hannah, who reside at home.
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