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 66
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Harry P. Gable was given good educational advantages in his youth, at- tending the public schools of Shenandoah, the Woods business college, and the Bloomsburg State Normal School, from which last-named institution he was graduated with the class of 1896. For two years thereafter he was en- gaged in teaching school at Shenandoah, then going to Lehigh county, where he was employed for one year in the cement works. He next became a clerk at the mines at West Shenandoah, where he was made assistant outside fore- man in 1907, and continued in that position until March, 1912. In that month Mr. Gable was promoted to outside foreman, working at the West Shenandoah, Turkey Run and Kohinoor collieries, and in June, 1915, was transferred to the East and West Brookside collieries, at Tower City. Mr. Gable is one of the highly respected citizens of his community and one who takes a pride in its progress and development. He is a valued member of the local camp of the P. O. S. of A., in which he has numerous friends, and in religious connection is a Lutheran.
In 1904 Mr. Gable was married to Mary Kaufmann, daughter of Godfrey Kaufmann, of Shenandoah, and they have two children, Christina and May, both attending school.
DANIEL DONNE, now living retired at Pottsville, Pa., has been a life- long resident of Schuylkill county. He was born in the borough of Port Car- bon June 24, 1840, and is of English stock, being a son of Henry S. Donne, grandson of Stephen Donne, and a direct descendant of John Donne, an Eng- lish poet and divine, born at London in 1573, who died there March 31, 1631. According to the Century Cyclopedia of Names, "He studied at Oxford and
Daniel Donne.
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Lincoln's Inn, and in 1596 was appointed secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton, keeper of the great seal, which office he lost about 1600 by a clandestine mar- riage with the lord keeper's niece. In 1610 he published a work entitled 'Pseudo-Martyr,' which procured for him the favor of James I., who per- suaded him to take holy orders in 1615, made him a royal chaplain in the same year, and in 1621 appointed him to the deanery of St. Paul's. Besides his poems, a collective edition of which appeared in 1633, and his theological writings, the most notable of his works is 'Biathanatodz, A Declaration of that Paradoxe or Thesis, That Self-homicide is not so naturally a sin, that it may never be otherwise,' etc. (1644)." The Donnes were a distinguished family in their part of the world. Burke gives several coats of arms as belonging to them, viz .: Donne or Doan (Cheshire)-Az. two bars ar. over all a bend gu. charged with three arrows or ; crest-a bundle of arrows or, headed and feath- ered ar. banded gu. Donne (as borne by J. G. Donne, Esq.)-Az. a wolf salient or ; crest-a wolf's head erased, or. Donne (granted 1605)-Az. a wolf salient ar. a chief of the last (under Don, Donn or Doon he gives, Az. a wolf salient ar .; crest-out of a ducal coronet a mount, and thereon a stag standing at gaze, all proper). Donne-Az. a unicorn couchant ar. armed or, between ten crosses crosslet of the third (under Don we find, Az. a unicorn rampant or between ten crosses crosslet or). Donne or Doune-Paly of six, arg. and az. on a fesse gu. three mullets or.
The grandfather of Daniel Donne was a native of England, and like most of his family, in the government service. He died in that country. His chil- dren were: Stephen Henry and Henry Stephen, twins, the former of whom died in India, and Elizabeth, Mrs. Roberts, who died in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania.
Henry Stephen Donne, father of Daniel Donne, was born in England and came to America in 1825, locating in New York City. He was engaged as a traveling salesman. It was not long before he returned to England, but in 1828 he again came to America, settling at Port Carbon, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he became a coal shipper on the canal, following this business during the rest of his active life. He died in 1876 at Locust Valley, Schuylkill Co., Pa., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Seddon, when seventy-five years old. His wife, Martha (Davis), a native of Wales, died at Port Carbon. They were the parents of five children: Ann, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Seddon ; Daniel; Phoebe, deceased; Frances, deceased, wife of Edward Seddon; and James, who is living at Pottsville.
Daniel Donne was educated in the public schools of Port Carbon. When a boy he began to work with his father and later for a few years was employed in the mines. Then, for about twelve years, he was a workman in the Benja- min Haywood Rolling Mills at Palo Alto, Schuylkill county, after which he was with C. M. Atkins and Zach. Boyer, eventually becoming a partner in the ownership of the Mount Carbon Rolling Mills, the concern being known as the Mount Carbon Rolling Mill Company. His associates in this enterprise were John E. Winecoop, Isaac Conner and Alex. Goven. The product was what is known as puddle bar, and over one hundred hands were employed. Mr. Donne was associated with this business until 1879, when he turned his attention to the grocery trade, and was also in the coal washing business at Middleport with Elwood T. Priest, being in this line for about six years, until 1808. Afterwards he continued in the grocery business at Palo Alto until Vol. II-29
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1907, in which year he removed to Pottsville, where he has since been living retired. His home is at No. 401 South Centre street.
Early in the Civil war, in August, 1861, Mr. Donne enlisted for three years in Company G, 48th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the Ist Brigade, 2d Division, 9th Army Corps. He was promoted to corporal at Fredericksburg in 1862 and to sergeant in 1864, being dis- charged with this rank at Harrisburg, Pa., July 17, 1865. In December, 1863, he had reenlisted, while in camp at Blain's Cross Roads, Tenn. During his long service he took an active part in many important engagements, and on three occasions received slight wounds-at the battle of Bull Run, at Fred- ericksburg, and in front of Petersburg. Mr. Donne still keeps up his Civil war associations as a member of Gowen Post, No. 23, G. A. R., of which he is a past commander. In 1896 he attended the national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic at St. Paul, Minn., as delegate, and he was also a delegate to the national encampments at Los Angeles, Cal. (1912), Chatta- nooga, Tenn. (1913), and Detroit, Mich. (1914). He was also a member and past officer of Miners Lodge, No. 20, I. O. O. F. His religious connection is with the Episcopal Church. While living at Palo Alto Mr. Donne was active in the affairs of the local government, holding various public positions. As councilman, member of the school board for four years (and secretary of that body), assessor, tax collector and auditor, he promoted the interests of the borough so faithfully that he was made chief burgess, holding that office for four years. On political questions he was a Republican. Though he has lived retired since settling at Pottsville, he is well known there, by reason of his various activities in public and business life, and he held the esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
In the year 1865 Mr. Donne married Sarah A. Bassett, daughter of William and Caroline (Randall) Bassett. Nine children were born to this union, as follows: William H., in August, 1866 (deceased) ; Daniel, Dec. 30, 1867 (deceased) ; Caroline M., April 21, 1869 (married William H. Shuman, Jr., a grocer of Pottsville, Pa., and they have two children, Harold E. and Daniel O.) ; Phoebe A., Dec. 6, 1870 (deceased) ; Martha F., Oct. 7, 1875 (deceased) ; Philip P. B., Dec. 8, 1876 (deceased) ; Minnie L., April, 1880 (deceased) ; Clay W., Nov. 24, 1882 (married Helen Wammelsdorf, and they have seven children, Daniel, Grace, Charles, Philip, Eleanor, Sarah and Helen Jean) ; and James F., July 4, 1887 (deceased). The mother of this family died Aug. 26, 1907, and is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery. Mr. Donne has lived retired since that year. In September, 1912, he made a trip to California.
THOMAS GREEN, farmer and dairyman of Barry township, was born on the farm where he now lives, son of Daniel F. Green and grandson of Richard Green.
Daniel F. Green was born in Ireland, and coming to America settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., first at Pottsville and later at Ashland. For a time he was foreman at one of the collieries. Moving to Barry township, this county, he located in the Patten farm formerly occupied by his father-in-law and later bought that place, which is now occupied by his son Thomas. It comprises 103 acres, and he farmed there until his retirement, a few years before his death. Removing to Shamokin, he died there in 1902. Mr. Green was married to Anna Patten, daughter of Thomas Patten, who came from England, eventually settling in Barry township, Schuylkill county, where he
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carried on farming. Mrs. Daniel F. Green died some twenty years ago. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Green, namely: Robert P., born at Ashland Sept. 3, 1856, is a resident of Barry township; Ida is the wife of Balcom Farrand, of Shamokin; William, deceased, was a resident of Ash- land; Eleanor is the wife of Dr. J. H. Enterline, of Shamokin; Thomas is next in the family; Daniel is living at Shamokin; Annie is deceased; Alice completes the family.
Thomas Green was born June 21, 1868, and grew up in Barry township, where he had such educational advantages as the public schools of the neigh- borhood afforded. Trained to farm work from boyhood, he has always made agriculture his occupation, and the productive capacity of his farm has im- proved steadily under his wise management, the value of his crops increasing yearly. His cattle are his pride, Mr. Green raising his own Guernsey and Holstein stock, and dairying has become quite an extensive branch of his operations. Mr. Green has taken a public-spirited citizen's interest in the affairs of his home locality, and his fellow citizens have benefited by his zeal. At present he is serving as township supervisor, to which office he was first elected seven years ago, holding it continuously since.
In February, 1890, Mr. Green married Catherine Wedde, who was born in the valley, in Barry township, daughter of Henry and Cecilia (Miller) Wedde, old settlers in this section, now living in Hegins township, this county ; Mr. Wedde follows farming and milling. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Green, viz .: Daniel, who lives in Barry township; Lottie; Annie; Thomas; Howard; Alice; Robert; Roy, and Margaret. Mr. Green in an Episcopalian in religious connection, Mrs. Green a Lutheran. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Lavelle, this county.
IRA W. HAND, who is engaged in the hardware, tinning and plumbing business at Reinerton, Pa., was born July 23, 1885, in Porter township, Schuyl- kill county, son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Schwalm) Hand.
The Hand family is one of the oldest of Porter township, where the great-great-great-grandfather of Ira W. Hand was a pioneer settler. John Hand, the great-grandfather of Ira W., passed his entire life in Porter town- ship, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred upon his large farm. He was the father of seven children, namely: David, Joseph and Edward, all of whom died in Porter township; John, who died in Clearfield county, Pa. ; a daughter, who married William Goodman; Polly, who married William Wagner; and Elizabeth, who married Henry Miller.
Joseph Hand, the grandfather of Ira W. Hand, was born on the homestead farm in Porter township and passed his entire life in the locality, being engaged in farming and also following mining for some years. He died on his farm Dec. 25, 1913, and was buried at Orwin cemetery. He married D. Kessler, a daughter of Abraham Kessler, and they had ten children: Alfred; Lucy, who married John Hoffman; Andrew, residing at Orwin; Catherine, who is the widow of Adam Bendigo and lives at Orwin; Valeria, who married Isaac Bendigo ; Frank, of Orwin; Emma who married Lincoln Adams ; Paul, who died in Porter township; Joseph, who is living upon the old homestead; and Elmer, living in Porter township.
Alfred Hand, father of Ira W. Hand, was born in Porter township in 1854, and during the active period of his life followed farming and mining.
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At this time he is retired from active pursuits and makes his home with his son. Mr. Hand married Elizabeth Schwalm, now deceased, who was a daugh- ter of the late Peter Schwalm. Two children were born to this union : Harry, who died at the age of two years; and Ira W.
Ira W. Hand was reared at the home of his grandfather, Peter Schwalm, in Porter township, and secured his education in the public schools. He continued as a farm boy until seventeen years of age, at which time he entered the mines, spending five years in the East Brookside, Good Spring and Lincoln collieries. He then placed himself under the training of his uncle, John P. Schwalm, who taught him the trades of plumbing and tinning, and with whom he remained for four years. In April, 1913, he opened his pres- ent establishment at Reinerton, where he has built up a very satisfying busi- ness. He is a dealer in tinware and furnaces, makes a specialty of steam fitting and plumbing, and accepts contracts for tinning, roofing, spouting and repairing, giving special attention to the latter branch of his business. Also he is agent in this district for the Oakland automobile and the I. H. C. truck. Mr. Hand is an enterprising and energetic business man, whose success has been won entirely through his own efforts. From earliest youth he has dis- played industry, seeking to perform well each task that has come to his hand, while his business associates know him as a man of strictest integrity, whose word can be absolutely relied upon. Fraternally he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and as a citizen he has given his support to good men and beneficial measures. He and Mrs. Hand are consistent members of the Evangelical Church.
Mrs. Hand before her marriage was Eva E. Jobe, and she is a daughter of Thomas Jobe, who was born in England and came to the United States when a boy, later settling at Muir, Schuylkill county. Mr. and Mrs. Hand are the parents of two sons: Elbert and Ivan.
JOHN KRELL, late of Rush township, was a well known citizen of his sec- tion of Schuylkill county, where his widow and several of his children are yet residing. He was a native of Germany, born March 17, 1827, in Hessen-Cassel, where his early years were spent. Coming to America in 1847, he settled at Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he first found work in the mines, later en- gaging in the butchering business, on his own account. He continued it for about twenty years, meeting with steady success, and then removed to Rush town- ship, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying here July 7, 1903. He is buried at Tamaqua. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church and well known socially among his countrymen, belonging to several German societies.
In 1853 Mr. Krell married Eva M. Jacobs, by whom he had three children, namely : Margaret, who married Fred Deheit; and two sons who died young. On March 12, 1860, Mr. Krell married (second) Maria E. Hagelgons, a native of Germany, daughter of Henry Hagelgons, who was born in Germany and came to America with his wife and family when Mrs. Krell was fourteen years old. They settled at Tamaqua. Of the seven children who were born to John and Maria E. Krell, Mary is the wife of Adam Hartwig, of Tamaqua ; Elizabeth married John Wetzel, of Tamaqua; Minnie is the wife of Martin F. Ryan, a business man of Tamaqua; Fred died Oct. 10, 1905; John is living at West Milton, Pa. The mother of this family is now living at Hometown with her daughter Mrs. Ryan. She has many friends in the town and vicinity,
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and is highly esteemed by all who know her, having always shared the great respect which Mr. Krell enjoyed among his acquaintances everywhere.
MARTIN F. RYAN has been doing business at Tamaqua for a number of years and formerly resided there, but he now maintains his residence at Home- town, in Rush township, having a fine home. He was born at Tamaqua. In young manhood he learned the trade of painter, which he has since followed, being now one of the most successful contractors in that line in this section of Pennsylvania. He keeps several men constantly employed, doing work at Tamaqua, Lansford, and in the surrounding territory.
Mr. Ryan is considered one of the valuable workers in his locality in behalf of good government, and he has held the position of school director for several years, being still on the board, where his cooperation is highly prized. He married Minnie Krell, daughter of John and Maria E. (Hagel- gons) Krell, and they have three children: Maria, who is now the wife of Elmer Iffert; John, and Clarence.
WILLIAM RENNER is engaged in a business which he and his father, in turn, have carried on in Ashland for a period of almost fifty years. He is a successful manufacturer, and succeeded his father in the business which the latter established shortly after the Civil war, continuing it until his own death.
The Renner family has been established in this country for three genera- tions and is of German origin. The grandparents of William Renner came to America at an early date and first settled in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where the grandfather continued to reside until his death. By occupation he was a carpenter. His family consisted of five children, of whom Francis was the eldest; Minnie is now a resident of Ohio; August is a resident of St. Clair, Pa., where he is engaged in business as a wheelwright and black- smith; Mary is the wife of Frank Selig, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
Francis Renner, the father of William Renner, was born in Saxony, Ger- many, and was very young when brought to this country. He grew up in Schuylkill county and learned the trade of carpet weaver, which he followed until he enlisted on the Union side for service in the Civil war. He was in the army to the close of the conflict, and then came to Ashland, where in 1866 he began the business which he followed to the end of his days. His death occurred March 24, 1896. Mr. Renner married Catherine Sent, who was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., and died in 1881. To this union were born four sons and four daughters, namely: George, August, Frank, William and Chris- tine, all residents of Ashland; Mary, Minnie and Katie, all three deceased.
William Renner was born Feb. 3, 1876, in Ashland, and received his education in the public schools of the borough. When old enough to be of assistance he began to help his father in the carpet weaving business, and remained with him, taking full charge of the business upon the latter's death. He is still weaving with a loom that was made in 1781. There is a steady demand for his services in the borough, and for his output, and the business has afforded him a substantial income. Mr. Renner is at present serving as high constable of Ashland, to which office he was appointed in 1912. Officially he has proved capable and trustworthy, discharging his duties to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is a Democrat in political connection, and
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a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, and socially is a prominent worker in the P. O. S. of A. camp at Ashland, in which he has held office.
In 1910 Mr. Renner married Mabel West Wood, of Lancaster, Pa., daugh- ter of Howard and Mary Wood.
GEORGE F. DIMMERLING, of Pottsville, is a capable young business man of that borough and member of a substantial family which has been settled there from the time of his grandfather. The latter, Jacob Dimmerling, was born in Germany, and came to America when a young man. He made his home at what has since become Yorkville, now a part of Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he bought property and built a log house. By trade he was a carpenter, but he was engaged at the mines most of his life, and became very well known in this section. He died on Twelfth street, Pottsville. His children were: Peter, John, Mary, Catherine and Jacob. Of these, Peter served in the Civil war, was captured and confined in Libby prison, and was one of the few that escaped from that place.
Jacob Dimmerling, father of George F. Dimmerling, was born at York- ville, which now forms part of Pottsville, and died Oct. 30, 1892. After some years' employment at mine work he became an engineer for the People's Railway Company at Pottsville, was so engaged for several years, and later was in the hotel business at the present location of his son George. He mar- ried Barbara Beeler, daughter of Michael Beeler, like himself a member of one of the early families at Yorkville. After her husband's death Mrs. Dimmerling continued the hotel business for some time, and she passed away Oct. 30, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Dimmerling were among the respected citizens of their day in the borough. They were the parents of seven children, namely : Peter (deceased), Jacob, Eva, George F., Charles (deceased), William and Joseph. William was with his brother George in the hotel business for some years, but is now following contracting and building at Pottsville, and has a large patronage.
George F. Dimmerling was born at Pottsville April 22, 1878, and obtained his education here, attending St. John's parochial school. When a youth he began work driving wagon for L. C. Thompson, merchant, by whom he was employed for one year. He then learned the trade of barber, which he fol- lowed for two and a half years, when he turned to mine work, becoming gig boss at the York Farm colliery, which position he held for one year. Then for a period of twelve years Mr. Dimmerling was occupied at blacksmithing, and since July, 1906, he has been in the hotel business. For several years he was in partnership with his brother William, under the firm name of Dimmerling Brothers, but he has been alone since May 1, 1913, when he bought out his brother's interest. His hotel is at Eighteenth and West Market streets, Potts- ville, and is well known and justly popular, being conducted with all con- sideration for the comfort of patrons, whose custom Mr. Dimmerling has retained by courteous attention and business-like methods. He is well known among his fellow citizens in Pottsville, being a member of the Yorkville Hose Company, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Liederkranz and St. John's Society. His religious connection is with St. John's Roman Catholic Church. Politically he is a Democrat.
Mr. Dimmerling married Mary Buchanan, daughter of John and Mary (Evans) Buchanan, and they have had four children, namely: Evadora, George, Mary and Charles, the last named deceased.
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JOHN F. HAND, inside foreman of No. 2 slope at the Lincoln col- liery, near Tremont, is one of the youngest men in the employ of the Philadel- phia & Reading Coal & Iron Company to hold so responsible a position. He is thoroughly respected in the borough as a typical member of one of the old families there whose members have all belonged to the substantial element of the community.
The Hand family has been in Pennsylvania for several generations, founded here by John Hand, an Orangeman from the North of Ireland, who came to America with his brother William. The latter settled in New Jersey, John Hand coming to this State, where he made a settlement in the Lykens valley, taking up a farm. He lived and died there. His children were: William, Abraham, John, and two daughters.
William Hand, son of John, above, also followed farming in the Lykens valley, later removing to Clearfield county, Pa., where he purchased a farm and engaged in the timber business as well as agriculture. He died at the age of eighty-eight years, and is buried there. His wife's maiden name was Zim- merman, and their children were: John, William, Elias, Henry, Joseph, George, James, Kate (Mrs. Daubert), Mrs. Young, and a daughter who died in Pittsburgh.
John Hand, son of William, was born in what was then Upper Mahan- tongo (now Hegins) township, on the old John Reed farm about three quarters of a mile northeast of Hegins. He learned shoemaking, but did not follow that trade long. Later he learned stonemasonry, at which he was also engaged but a short time, eventually going to work at the mines, where he was occupied for about forty-five years. In 1844 he settled at Tremont, where he was one of the pioneers, and lived there until his death, Feb. 18, 1902, at the age of eighty-one years. He is buried in the M. E. cemetery at Tremont. Five children were born to his marriage with Elizabeth Shuckert, daughter of Henry Shuckert : Daniel, James Monroe, William F., Mary and Margaret.
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