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 68
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VALENTINE SPITZNER, of Tremont, is one of the well known resi- dents of that borough, of which he has been a lifelong resident. His work, as well as his association with various local interests, has brought him into contact with a large proportion of his townsmen, and he is respected for his upright character and good citizenship wherever known. Mr. Spitzner was born at Tremont in the year 1867, son of Joseph and Applonie (Keefer) Spitzner, who settled in the borough in 1866, making their permanent home there. The father was born in Germany, and his death occurred at Tremont in April, 1915, when he was eighty years old. By occupation he was a mine worker. He had the following children: Joseph, who lives in Colorado ; Elizabeth; Valentine; John, who is editor of the West Schuylkill Press, a local newspaper: and George.
Valentine Spitzner attended the public schools at Tremont until he began work, at the age of thirteen years, in the local mines. When twenty-four years old he became baggagemaster at Tremont, and has held that position at different times since, being so engaged at the present time. For three years he was on the railroad, between Lebanon and Brookside, and for four years he was in business on his own account at Tremont, conducting the "Spring Street Hotel." He has become very well known in this section as
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a baseball player, having for many years been captain and manager of the popular Tremont Baseball Club, with which he played second base. He has taken an active part in the work of the Tremont Fire Company, No. I, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Tremont, serving as captain of the team. The welfare of the town has always been a matter of deep interest to him, and he has done his share in promoting it in various capacities. He is now serving his third term as member of the borough school board, to which he was last elected in November, 1915. His religious membership is in the Reformed Church.
Mr. Spitzner married Katie Beard, a daughter of James Beard, and to them were born two daughters: Catherine, who lives in Pottsville, this county ; and Mary, a graduate of the local high school. The mother passed away, and Mr. Spitzner subsequently married her sister, Mary Beard. There are no children by this union.
WALTER F. ESTERLY, of Pottsville, though one of the younger busi- ness element in that borough, has already become known for his ability and good judgment. He has been sufficiently active in public affairs to entitle him to a place among the progressive citizens who may be relied upon to keep the community up to the best standards. Mr. Esterly was born at Pottsville June 22, 1885, son of Frank Esterly and grandson of Daniel L. Esterly.
Daniel L. Esterly was born in Berks county, this State, and came to Potts- ville before the Civil war. He engaged in the hardware business at Centre and Mahantongo streets, and carried it on with success until his death.
Frank Esterly, father of Walter F. Esterly, was born at Pottsville and received his business training under his father, with whom he was associated until the latter's death, afterwards continuing the business on his own account. He died May 7, 1905, and is buried at Pottsville, where his widow continues to reside. Mr. Esterly was one of the active spirits of the day, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and looked up to in all the relations of life. He married Sallie Argall, of Pottsville, and their children are Walter F. and Ruth, the latter the wife of Thomas Williams, of Pottsville.
Walter F. Esterly obtained his education in the public schools of Potts- ville. When a youth he became a clerk in his father's store, where he was employed for six years, until the business was sold in 1905, since when he has given part of his time to the automobile business, in which he is still interested. Mr. Esterly was but twenty-two years of age when elected a member of the town council, having the distinction of being the youngest man ever chosen to service in that body. He continued to act as councilman for five years, and proved so thoroughly worthy that his fellow councilmen chose him for service on the Law and Ordinance committee, in whose work he cooperated effectively. He is a member of the Yorkville Fire Company, and a Democrat on political questions.
Mr. Esterly married Catherine Wolff, daughter of Frantz Wolff, of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill county, and she died May 19, 1913, at the age of twenty-eight years. No children were born to this marriage. Mrs. Esterly is buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Pottsville.
HARPER H. BROWN, assistant mine foreman at the Goodspring col- liery, in Schuylkill county, was born at Muir, in Porter township, this county,
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June 2, 1884, son of Henry and Maria (Stein) Brown, grandson of Jacob Brown, great-grandson of Philip Brown, and great-great-grandson of Peter Brown or Braun, as the name was spelled in Germany.
Peter Braun was born in Germany near the border of Switzerland, whence he came to America as a member of the army sent here by the English to subdue the colonists. He had been promised lands and money for his serv- ice, but was captured by the Patriots and later became a servant in the house- hold of Gen. George Washington. One of his brothers, who accompanied him to this country, and of whom all trace has been lost, is supposed to have been killed in the battle of Brandywine, while another brother served under the command of General Washington for seven years. Peter Brown (or Braun) lived in Virginia for some years, but after the Revolutionary war came to Pennsylvania, and was engaged in driving a supply team from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Later he settled in Berks county, and, being a member of the Lutheran faith, joined the church at Host, or Yohst, and became an active worker therein. Some years later he came to the Williams valley and bought the Neidlinger tract, now known as the John Hoffman farm, which forms the greater part of the site of Tower City. He lived on this tract and farmed it until in old age, when he made his home with one of his sons, Peter, who lived on a farm in the Clarks valley region, which is now owned by Charles Kessler. He went to live with another son, Philip, a few years later, on the Josiah Parker farm. Mr. Parker later sold this farm to John Houtz, who sold it to John Dieter, and it is now known as the Henry Bohr property. Here Peter Brown died about the year 1835. This Peter Brown had three sons: Jonas, Peter and Philip, and three daughters, one of whom married a Reedy; another became the mother of Michael Goodman, while the third married a Mr. Snoke.
Philip Brown, the great-grandfather of Harper H. Brown, married Kate Swab, and was the father of five children: William C .; John; Jacob; Eliz- abeth, who married Sam Bomberger; and Pauline, who married Abraham Hand. William Brown was twice married and became the father of nineteen children.
Jacob Brown, the grandfather of Harper H. Brown, was born in Lykens township, Dauphin Co., Pa .; and was six months old when brought to Schuyl- kill county by his parents. With the exception of a period of a few years he resided here throughout his life. At the time of his death, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-six years, eleven months, one day, Mr. Brown was one of the oldest surviving settlers and the last of the real early settlers of the Williams valley country. It was his privilege to remember the primitive conditions of the valley, when instead of roads there were paths or Indian trails, when instead of towns and villages there were the forests as nature had left them, and the childhood scenes and pictures of which were more real to him than the civilized conditions ruling to-day. As early as the year 1845 he was employed at the old Lorberry colliery, at which time the coal was taken to market by the canal which ran through Pine Grove. Mr. Brown assisted in the driving of the first tunnel at the Short Mountain col- liery at Lykens, and at that time was paid at the rate of one dollar per day, but his meals were only six cents a day, expenses not being as heavy as now. In 1863, while working at the Osterman drift, he also was the proprietor of a hoarding house, and subsequently, while helping to build the State road from Goodspring to Rausch Gap, he conducted the tavern which is now
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known as Shadles' Tavern, located on the above road. He died in the Wil- liams valley and his funeral was held from the home of Monroe Brown, serv- ices being conducted at the Lutheran and Reformed Church at Orwin, with Rev. Ira F. Frank officiating. These services were attended by a vast con- course from near and far who came to pay their last respects to this sturdy old pioneer. Interment was made in the cemetery adjoining the church. Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Elizabeth Heberling, and they became the parents of seven children, namely: Simon, who lives at Williamstown, Dauphin county ; Henry; Harriet, the widow of Charles Weaver, living at Reiner City, Pa .; Philip, who died at Reiner City; Andrew, who also passed away there; Hiram, whose home is at Philadelphia; and Monroe, who is a resident of Reiner City.
Henry Brown, the father of Harper H. Brown, was born in Porter town- ship, Schuylkill county, Jan. 16, 1852, and was reared on his father's farm. His educational advantages were not great in his youth, for he was early called upon to contribute his share to the family income, and when he was only ten years of age he began working in the mines. He continued to be connected with mining until 1903, when he returned to the farm, taking up his residence on his property in Porter township, which he has since continued to occupy and cultivate. He has developed his tract of twenty-two acres into one of the valuable small farms of his locality, with good improvements. Mr. Brown married Maria Stein, a daughter of Christian Stein, a native of Ger- many who came to the United States in young manhood. Mr. and Mrs. Brown became the parents of the following children: Walter E., who is engaged in farming in Porter township; Ada May, who died young; Sadie, who is the wife of George Kuntzelman; Edna, who married Edward Carl; Harper H .; Guy, a resident of Schuylkill Haven, Pa .; Roy, whose home is in Porter town- ship; Ray, living at Port Carbon, Pa .; Lottie, who is the wife of Charles Ivey ; Mattie, who married Wayne Kahler; Lillie, who died as a child; Earle, who resides with his parents; and Harold, who is attending school. Henry Brown served as a member of the school board of Porter township for some years. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Patriotic Order Sons of America. Until 1890 he was a member of the Evangelical Church, in that year changing his membership to the United Brethren Church, and has been a member of the board of trustees for several years. At Orwin he was superintendent of the Sunday school during a long period.
Harper H. Brown attended the public schools of Porter township, and like the majority of youths of his neighborhood early began to be employed at mining, his first occupation being as a breaker boy. After three years of experience of this kind he was employed by his father in the mines on gang- way and rock work, and after four years was put on breast and gangway work on his own account at the Lincoln and Brookside collieries, thus continuing six years. Now a thoroughly experienced man, he was made stable boss at the Lincoln colliery, a position which he held for one year, and was then promoted to the position of inside night inspector. This latter position he held until Nov. 10, 1913, when he came to the one which he now occupies, that of assistant inside foreman at No. I Slope, under Foreman Joseph Watkins. He is one of the popular young men of the community, and the advance- ment which he has gained has been fairly earned through energy, industry and fidelity.
Mr. Brown was married to Elsie V. Kimmel, daughter of John and Anna Vol. II-30
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(Fessler) Kimmel, and three children have been born to this union: Ruth, Wilbur and Harlow. Mr. Brown is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America and the Improved Order of Red Men, in both of which frater- nities he has numerous friends.
CHARLES HENRY SMITH, former proprietor of the "West End Hotel," at Yorkville, was born Sept. 27, 1882, in what was then the borough of Yorkville, now a part of the city of Pottsville. He is a son of Albert Smith, and grandson of the Albert Smith who located at Yorkville about 1840.
Albert Smith, the grandfather, was a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Ger- many, and coming to America about 1840 settled at Yorkville, in Schuylkill county, Pa. After he did day's work for a time he turned to coal mining, and though he later carried on farming he was for many years in the employ of the Mine Hill Railroad Company, as a section foreman, holding this position until his death, which occurred in his forty-ninth year. He married Magda- lena Siegel, who was born in Alsace-Lorraine, at that time French territory, and came to America when nine years old. Mrs. Smith survived her husband, reaching the age of sixty-six years. They were the parents of nine children (seven of whom grew to maturity), namely: Elizabeth, who is deceased; Albert; Henry; Andrew, deceased; Margaret, deceased; John, deceased ; Mary, deceased ; Joseph, deceased ; and Bernard.
Albert Smith, son of Albert and Magdalena Smith, was born June 4, 1845, at Pottsville, Schuylkill county. He grew to manhood in this county and had common school advantages in his early years, but he was only a boy when he commenced work, in 1856, as water boy for the section hands on the Mine Hill railroad. He then became a member of the section gang, and he served continuously on this branch of the Philadelphia & Reading road until his re- tirement in June, 1913. From 1864 he was section foreman, becoming estab- lished at Yorkville in 1870. Mr. Smith has been one of the substantial citizens of that borough, having served as school director when it was an independent municipality, and his sympathies have usually been with the Democratic party. He is a charter member of the Philadelphia & Reading Relief Association and a member of the Philadelphia & Reading veterans. Mr. Smith prizes highly a letter received from Rufus R. Wilder, of Cressona, the former superin- tendent of the Mine Hill railroad, dated Jan. 31, 1900, from which we quote : "I remember your father, Albert Smith, who was section foreman of the Mine Hill railroad from West Wood to Germantown. I also remember you as a very good little boy for the repair force on that section. I am glad to hear that you are still employed by the company. It shows you have always been a faithful employe, as your father was before you. A half century has passed since you entered the service of the company, and I trust that in that time you have earned and received deserved promotion."
On May 28, 1871, Mr. Smith married Catherine Christ, daughter of George and Margaret (Rice) Christ, of West Wood, Pa., and she died Jan. 5, 1906, at the age of fifty-six years. Seven children were born to this marriage, namely : Eliza, who married Howell Quinn ; Albert, Jr., of Pottsville; George, of Pottsville; Margaret; and Edward, Charles Henry and William, all resi- dents of Pottsville. The father belongs to the German Catholic Church at Yorkville, of which the mother was also a member.
Charles Henry Smith was brought up in Pottsville, receiving his educa-
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tion in the public and parochial schools of that borough. He was reared to habits of thrift and industry, when a youth beginning work in a brickyard, and later learning the trade of cigarmaker, which was his principal occupation for a period of thirteen years. In the year 1912 he turned to the hotel busi- ness, in which he was notably successful, the "West End Hotel" drawing a steady patronage under his management, not only from the local trade, but also the custom of many travelers in this section. In connection with his hotel he had a large stable, with accommodations for twelve horses. He gave up the hotel in March, 1915, and is now living at No. 1704 West Nor- wegian street, Pottsville. Mr. Smith is very well known in the community, where he has been a member of the Yorkville Fire Company for many years. He is a Democrat on political questions, and like his father and mother a mem- ber of the German Catholic Church.
Mr. Smith married Bertie Zimmerman, daughter of Samuel Zimmerman, of Port Clinton, Schuylkill county, and they have two children, Albert and Marguerite.
HARRY F. SCHULZE, New Philadelphia ( Post Office Silver Creek), Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
THOMAS SIMMONS, outside foreman at the Maryd colliery in Schuylkill township, is respected as one of the substantial, intelligent residents of that section, in which he is well known. He has been employed in the mines in Schuylkill county all his life, and his father, Philip Simmons, followed the same occupation here.
Philip Simmons was born in England and was reared in his native land, being a young man when he came to this country. For a time after his arrival here he lived at Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and later moved to near Miners- ville, this county, where he spent the rest of his life, dying there when seventy- two years old. He was a skilled miner and so engaged for many years. By his marriage to Margaret Lewis, a native of Wales, daughter of William Lewis, there were eleven children, eight of whom survive at this writing (1915) : Sallie, Margaret, Elizabeth, Priscilla, Philip, William, Thomas and Owen. Mrs. Simmons came to America when a young girl.
Thomas Simmons was born March 14, 1869, at Minersville, Schuylkill county, where he attended the public schools during his boyhood. When he went to work it was as a slate picker at the Mine Hill Gap breaker, for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, and from that humble posi- tion he worked up to more responsible labors, becoming pumpman and engi- neer, and eventually outside foreman at the Silver Brook colliery, where he was retained for two years in that capacity. In1 1906 he came to the Maryd colliery, where he has been outside foreman continuously to the present time, having about one hundred and sixty men in his charge. Such a fine grade of coal is mined at this working that the output is in constant demand, and the men are steadily employed even when other collieries in this section are not being operated up to capacity.
By reason of his long association with mining operations in the locality Mr. Simmons is very well known, but his reputation has not been limited to his fellow workers, for he has interested himself in public and social affairs, enjoy- ing the activity and responsibility of such associations. While a resident of Kline township he served four years as a member of the school board, of which
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he was president and secretary, doing notably efficient work. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Tamaqua Lodge, No. 238, F. & A. M., the Consistory of the Valley of Bloomsburg, and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Simmons married Clara Hinkle, who was born at Buck Mountain, Schuylkill county, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Hinkle, and died June 17, 1900; she is buried at Mahanoy City. Two sons were born to this marriage : Roy F. and Wilbur E., both of whom are now employed as machinists at the Maryd colliery.
GEORGE BECK, of St. Nicholas, Schuylkill county, has charge as outside foreman of the St. Nicholas and Suffolk collieries, where about fourteen hun- dred men are now employed. The settlement of the town of St. Nicholas began in 1861, simultaneously with the opening of the mine, just a couple of years before Mr. Beck was born, and he has been employed there all his life, in various capacities, but always faithful to duty and strict in his adherence to high principles of conduct. He is a son of the late John Beck, who came to this country from Germany in the year 1858, landing at New York City. He settled at Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and for several years was em- ployed as a miner at the Greenwood colliery. In 1865 he located at St. Nicholas, where he was similarly engaged until his death, in 1880. He is buried at Tamaqua. In Germany Mr. Beck married Margaret Schultz, and three children were born to them there, Eliza, Mary and Henry. After the family settled in the United States the following children were born: Simon, Martha, George, Emma, John and Annie.
George Beck was born May 7, 1863, at Tamaqua, and was therefore very young when the family settled at St. Nicholas, where he has ever since had his home. At the age of six years he began attending public school, but he was only eight when he went to work, picking slate at the breaker where he is now acting as outside foreman. After two years at that work he was put to running the breaker engine, being thus employed for four years, during the next three years working in the boiler room, as assistant fireman two years and fireman one year. Then for a year he was on the top of the slope, pushing cars, ran the gigs for a short time, and when nineteen years old started carpenter work at the colliery. After a year he was given work with the chain gang, at carpentry, for four years. He next assisted in building the present St. Nicholas breaker, which is one of the largest in the anthracite region, and also spent some time repairing mine cars, before entering upon the work at which he has since been retained. Having been made assistant outside foreman, he continued to hold the position for sixteen years, until promoted to outside foreman in September, 1905. His work includes super- vision of the Suffolk as well as the St. Nicholas workings, where about four- teen hundred men are regularly employed, and many improvements have been made in these mines and their method of operation under his able direction. His all-around familiarity with their equipment is an advantage of great value to him with the numerous duties comprised in his work, enabling him to decide quickly on many points in the emergencies which arise from day to day. All through his record has been most creditable.
Mr. Beck married Martha A. Platt, daughter of Ralph B. Platt, a native of England, who came to America and settled at St. Nicholas. Mr. and Mrs. Beck have two sons: G. Raymond, who is a clerk at the collieries under his
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father; and Wilbur Ahlborn, now a student at Lehigh University, class of 1917. The family adhere to the faith of the Reformed Church in religion. Fraternally Mr. Beck belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Royal Arcanum.
HENRY J. WITTICH became a resident of the borough of Tamaqua five years ago, and in business and social connections has become well and favorably known, especially as one of the active members of the American Hose Company, of which he is now first assistant foreman.
Mr. Wittich is of German descent, his father, Henry Wittich, having been born in Germany. On coming to America he settled at Green Point, Brooklyn, N. Y., where he engaged in the hotel business. Henry J. Wittich was born in 1880 in Brooklyn, and was educated in the public schools there. When thirteen years old he began to learn the brewing business with the Leonard Eppig Brewing Company, at Brooklyn, remaining in their employ for a period of five years. He then entered the United States Brewers Academy in New York City, where he took an expert course of six months, after which he became assistant ale brewing foreman at the Stevens Brewing Company, New York City. When he had been in their service two years he became brewmaster for the Franklin Brewing Company, of Brooklyn, with whom he continued for the next seven years, until his removal to Tamaqua, July 25, 1910, to take charge of the Liberty Brewing Company. This concern has an up-to-date plant at Tamaqua, and Mr. Wittich has been brewmaster there to the present, his management having proved highly acceptable. He is thoroughly familiar with the business from the scientific standpoint, and is also well qualified for the executive work, attending to all his duties with careful precision and to the entire satisfaction of the company.
Mr. Wittich is a member of the Masons and B. P. O. Elks (Tamaqua Lodge, No. 592), in the former connection belonging to Cornerstone Lodge, No. 367, F. & A. M., Brooklyn, N. Y .; he is also a member of the Tamaqua Club, of the Tamaqua Mannerchor, and of the American Hose Company of Tamaqua, being one of the most enthusiastic workers in the latter organiza- tion, of which he has been first assistant foreman for several years.
By his marriage to Kate Johannes, a native of New York City, Mr. Wittich has two children, Viola and Henry.
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