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 69
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
GEORGE W. EBERT, an engineer on the Reading railroad, now located at Gordon, Schuylkill Co., Pa., is a son of William and Ella ( Hughes) Ebert, of Berks county, this State. Mr. Ebert was born near Pottsville, Pa., April 8, 1853. On his father's side he is a descendent of a passenger on the famous "Mayflower," and on his mother's side he is descended from Joseph Hughes, a famous Quaker schoolmaster of the early days of the settlement of the Roaring Creek valley in Columbia county, Pennsylvania.
William Ebert, the father of George W. Ebert, was born in Berks county, Pa. His father died when he was a child. His first work was as stagecoach driver, during the days when that was the only vehicle used upon the roads of America by travelers. Having driven a coach in Schuylkill county, he was thus influenced to settle near the town of Pottsville. Here he assisted in the work of opening the wild country to the use of the farming pioneers, working in the woods as lumberman and clearing the land of timber and brush. Later he moved to Ashland, at which place he died Dec. 7, 1893, at the age of
1078
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
seventy-eight years. His wife was Ella Hughes, daughter of Joseph Hughes, a cabinetmaker and schoolteacher, who settled in the Roaring Creek valley (now Locust township), Columbia Co., Pa., and taught the first school in Kerntown, in 1820. He afterwards removed to New Castle, Schuylkill county, where he died. Mrs. Ebert died in May, 1895, at the age of seventy- seven years. William and Ella ( Hughes) Ebert had children as follows: (I) Edward, born June 23, 1838, was a member of the 48th Pa. Vol. Inf., and was wounded while in the Civil war. (2) Anna M., born April 3, 1840, is now deceased. (3) Phoebe R., born May 13, 1842, is deceased. (4) Eliza- beth, born Jan. 9, 1845, is the wife of Henry M. Seitzinger. (5) Mary, born Feb. 26, 1847, is the wife of James M. Seitzinger. (6) Hannah, deceased, was born Feb. 13, 1849, and was the wife of James M. Seitzinger. (7) William, born Feb. II, 1851, is now a resident of Ashland. (8) George W., born April 8, 1853, is mentioned below. (9) Jeremiah, born May 1, 1858, died in Warren county, Pennsylvania.
George W. Ebert was educated in the schools of Ashland, and his first work was at the coal breakers there. Afterwards he operated a sawmill. On June 16, 1873, he came to Gordon and entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, starting as brakeman. He was promoted gradually to conductor, fireman and engineer, in which last capacity he is still working. On Dec. 13, 1881, Mr. Ebert was united in marriage to Elizabeth Levens, daughter of James and Margaret (McElheny) Levens, of Miners- ville, Schuylkill county. They have a son, James, now a druggist of Tamaqua, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Ebert are members of the Methodist Church, of which he has been a trustee for many years. She is an ardent worker in the church and Sunday school.
James Levens, father of Mrs. Ebert, was a native of Ireland and emigrated to America, landing at Philadelphia, where he made his home for a time. Going to Port Richmond, near Philadelphia, he there married Margaret Mc- Elheny, and then moved to Minersville, and later to Centralia, Columbia county, where he died in 1884, being buried at Ashland, which is near Centralia. He was a miner by occupation. Mrs. Levens makes her home with George WV. Ebert, her son-in-law. She has had twelve children, of whom five are deceased (including John), the others being as follows: James, resident in Centralia ; Elizabeth, wife of George W. Ebert; Mary, wife of Joseph Lange, of Philadelphia; Alexander, a resident of Hartford, Conn .; Sophia, wife of Nicholas Conrad, of Philadelphia; Sarah, wife of Matthew Nealy, of Gordon ; and William, of Tamaqua.
JAMES BURKHARDT has been engaged at mine work all his life and bears an excellent reputation for skill and trustworthiness in his calling. The fact that he has been inside foreman at. the Eagle Hill colliery, in Blythe township, continuously since 1902 shows that he is a man of steady char- acter, and he is respected for his sterling qualities wherever known.
Mr. Burkhardt is a native of Schuylkill county, of German descent, his father, Nicholas Burkhardt, having been born in the Fatherland, where he passed his early life. Coming to America when a young man, he settled at Minersville, in Schuylkill county, Pa., and there made a permanent home, dying at Minersville. By occupation he was a shoemaker, and he worked at the trade all his life. To his marriage with Eliza Barnwick were born five chil- dren: Elizabeth, Annie, Maria, Lewis and James.
1079
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
James Burkhardt was born at Minersville July 12, 1863, and obtained his education in the public schools there. Like many boys in the coal regions, his first work was picking slate at the breaker, and he was so employed at the Otto, Phoenix Park and Glendower collieries. As he grew older he filled different positions at the mines, working as loader, starter, miner, boss loader and fire boss, being engaged in the latter capacity for twelve years at the Glendower colliery. From there he came to the Eagle Hill colliery in the year 1902, and has since been inside foreman. As such he has about five hundred men under his charge. Mr. Burkhardt is well known in this region, and has the favorable regard of all his associates. He is a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church at New Philadelphia, where he attends mass with his family every Sunday.
Mr. Burkhardt was married to Mary Gallagher, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, daughter of Charles Gallagher, and they have three chil- dren: Charles, who is attending high school in Pottsville; and James and Severine, who go to school in Blythe township, where the family reside. Mrs. Burkhardt has made three trips to her old home in Ireland since settling in this country.
JOHN H. WITHELDER, of Newtown, Schuylkill county, is a member of the third generation of his family in Reilly township, where his grand- father, Henry Withelder, settled upon coming to this country. He was a native of Germany, where he spent his early life, being a young man of twenty- two years when he arrived in America. He settled at Big Vein, in Reilly township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and having followed mining in his native land became a coal operator, following that business for a number of years. He owned the Dundas colliery in Reilly township. His death occurred when he was forty-eight years old, at Newtown, this county, where he was well known, and he is buried in the cemetery at Clouser's Church. He married Margaret Arnold, like himself a native of Germany, who came to America when eighteen years old. They had a large family, viz .: George; Lewis; Frederick; Henry ; John; Peter, who died young; Mary, wife of Jacob Miller ; and Elizabeth, who married Thomas Jones.
John Withelder, son of Henry, was born in Schuylkill county, where he spent all his life. He died at Newtown at the early age of thirty-one years, and is buried in Clouser's Church cemetery. During all the time he worked he was employed at the Middle Creek colliery. His widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Richards, continues to reside at Newtown, in Reilly township. They had one child, John H.
John H. Withelder was born July 5, 1885, at Newtown, where he attended public school. When but nine years old he began picking slate at the breaker of the Otto colliery, at Branch Dale, Reilly township, continuing at that work for three years. He was then put to running jigs for two years, was oiler at the breaker for the next three years, and after that ran an engine until Jan. 1, 1910, when he became assistant outside foreman. He still holds that position. It is noteworthy that Mr. Withelder has been employed at the same colliery continuously since he started work, and he has been advanced steadily entirely upon his own merits and because of his trustworthiness. He holds the respect of his associates in all the relations of life. His home is still at Newtown, and he is a leading member of St. John's Reformed Church there, in which he has held the office of elder. In fraternal connection he is a
1080
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Royal Arcanum and Masons, affiliated with the following bodies: Swatara Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M .; Tremont Chapter, No. 221, R. A. M .; Constantine Commandery, No. 41, K. T., of Pottsville; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Reading.
Mr. Withelder is married to Clara Applebee, daughter of Michael Applebee, who came from England and settled in Schuylkill county. They have two children : Olive May, now (1915) seven years old, and Rose A., two years old.
ARTHUR H. DANIEL, of Pine Grove, who has recently become estab- lished in business at that point, is a native of the neighboring county of Dauphin and descended from one of the families founded there in the old days. His grandfather, Joel Daniel, followed farming there.
Israel Daniel, father of Arthur H. Daniel, was born near Gratz, which is in the upper end of Dauphin county, just opposite the western point of Schuylkill. Agriculture has always been his vocation, and he is still living on a farm near the town of Gratz. His wife, Savilla, also a native of Dauphin county, died in 1901.
Arthur H. Daniel was born at Gratz, Dauphin county, was reared on the parental farm near that town, and attended the township schools. After leav- ing school he assisted his father, who was at that time conducting the "Union Hotel" in Gratz, and subsequently he made an independent venture in the bottling business at that town. He carried it on there for five years, manufac- turing all kinds of soft drinks, and in October, 1913, came to Pine Grove and started the business there. It is similar to the establishment he had at Gratz, being equipped for the production of soft drinks of all kinds, and has taken well with the townspeople, whose appreciation has been shown in liberal patronage. Mr. Daniel has made a beginning which augurs well for his future career.
In 1909 Mr. Daniel was married to Alice Rehrar, of Pine Grove, daughter of Aaron and Mary Rehrar, the former deceased, the latter still living at Pine Grove. Four children have been born to this union: Carrie, Alberta, Evalyn and Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel are members of the Pine Grove Lutheran Church, and always ready to give their encouragement and support to move- ments affecting the welfare of the borough.
JOSEPH WELLENDORF, a thrifty farmer of Butler township, Schuyl- kill Co., Pa., and proprietor of a bakery at Fountain Springs, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1847. He is a son of Nicholas and Angeline (La Jeune) Wellendorf, the father a native of the same portion of Germany, and the mother a native of Westphalia.
Nicholas Wellendorf, the father, was a farmer, and resided all of his life in the Fatherland. His children were: Bernard, now living retired in Phila- delphia ; Mina, residing in Germany ; Marie, deceased ; Elizabeth and Henrietta, deceased ; Joseph ; and Anna, a resident of Germany.
Joseph Wellendorf was educated in Germany, where he learned the baker's trade. He came to New York in 1867 and worked there as a baker, after- wards journeying over the Union, following his trade in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Louisville, Terre Haute and Cincinnati. In 1877 he came to Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and in 1883 established his present bakery at Fountain
1081
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Springs. Mr. Wellendorf was married, in Camden, N. J., to Elizabeth Bloom, a native of Germany, who died in 1908. They had these children: Henry lives in Philadelphia ; Albert resides in the State of New York ; Katie is married and living in Pennsylvania; Angeline is the wife of Neill Weaver, of Ash- land; Nicholas is a resident of Williamsport; Bernard, living in the State of Iowa; Andrew is in the United States navy, stationed on the "Louisiana"; Clara resides at home; and Mary is residing at home. Mr. Wellendorf is a member of St. Mauritius' Roman Catholic Church, of Ashland.
DANIEL C. FRYER belongs to a family of German origin, founded in Schuylkill county by his grandfather, Bernhard Fryer, who was born in Germany and came to America when a young man. Settling on a small farm in West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, he remained there until his death, industriously cultivating his land and also following his trade, shoe- making. He is buried in the cemetery of Zion's Church, in West Brunswick township. His children were: Jonas, Daniel, Bernhard and Susanna.
Daniel Fryer, son of Bernhard Fryer, was born on the homestead in West Brunswick township, following farming in that township all his life, and was a well and favorably known citizen of his section. He died on his farm and is buried in the Zion Church cemetery, in West Brunswick township. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Laurence), daughter of John Laurence, and she continues to live on the old homestead. Of the three children born to Mr, and Mrs. Fryer, Frank and Daniel C. are living at Orwigsburg; Sallie married John Faust, and lives in West Brunswick township.
Daniel C. Fryer was born April 29, 1871, at Pinedale, in West Bruns- wick township, and obtained his education in the local public schools. Later he attended the State Normal School at Lock Haven, and taught school for one term during 1895. For a time he worked in the tube mill at Auburn, this county, was subsequently engaged at farm work for J. H. Walborn at Orwigs- burg, and then entered the employ of the late Solomon Moyer, of Orwigsburg, being engaged in his feed store for three years. At the end of that time he began to learn the shoe business, working three years in the factory of H. S. Albright, and from there going to the Werner Shoe Company, also at Orwigs- burg, where he remained seven years. His next employers were Bickley & Walborn, with whom he continued for about nine months, until the organiza- tion of the Orwigsburg Shoe Company, of which he was secretary from the beginning until he gave up the business. Mr. Fryer's duties include the super- vision of the shipping and office work, for which he was very well adapted, as the efficiency in both departments attested. His conscientious devotion to everything he undertakes, and thorough reliability, are qualities highly appre- ciated by his associates, and he is a man that commands respect in all the relations of life.
Mr. Fryer has long held membership in the Reformed Church, originally belonging to the historic old Red Church, in West Brunswick township, which he served two years as deacon, and is now united with the church at Orwigs- burg, of which he has been deacon since 1908. Socially he is a member of the P. O. S. of A. and the Independent Americans.
Mr. Fryer married Kate Becker, daughter of Abraham Becker, who was a native of Berks county, Pa. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fryer, namely : Alvin, Mabel, George, Daniel A., Kate (deceased) and Mary (deceased).
1082
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CHRISTIAN MADER, one of the oldest employees at the Silver Creek colliery, in Blythe township, has been stationary engineer there since 1889. Such a record of service is sufficient to show that he is both competent and reliable, and his high personal character is commensurate with his industry.
Mr. Mader is of German extraction, his father, Jacob Mader, having been born in Bavaria, Germany, from which country he came to America when about thirty years old, accompanied by his wife. They settled at Kaskawilliam, in Blythe township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and he was engaged at mine work, for a time acting as inside foreman for Mr. Luther, who was among the early coal operators in this region. Later he located at Tuscarora, this county, and he continued to follow coal mining until his death, which occurred in 1866, when he was fifty-three years old. He married Rachel Kramer, daughter of Christian Kramer, and they had four children: Jacob, who died when seven years old; Dora and Mary, twins, also deceased; and Christian.
Christian Mader was born Oct. 16, 1853, at Kaskawilliam, and spent his boyhood in Schuylkill township, receiving his early education in the public schools there and subsequently attending a select school at Pottsville, this county. For one term he taught school, at New Ringgold, Schuylkill county, but he did not like the profession well enough to continue in it. For about three years he ran an engine at Tuscarora, spent two years at East Mines, and then returned to Kaskawilliam, where he sank a shaft and was employed for about two years. The five years following he was at Lansford, Pa., running an engine, and thence changed to New Philadelphia, this county, to what is known as the "Shoo Fly" workings. In the year 1889 he came to the Silver Creek colliery, being one of the first men employed there, sank the shaft, and has been serving as engineer continuously since. Mr. Mader is very well known in the local bodies of the Masonic faternity, belonging to Tamaqua Lodge, No. 238, F. & A. M .; Tamaqua Chapter, No. 177, R. A. M .; Constantine Commandery, K. T., of Pottsville; and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; of Reading, Pa. For the last forty years he has been a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, affiliating with the lodge of Middleport, this county.
Mr. Mader married Susan Guers, daughter of Daniel Guers, of Tumbling Run Valley, Schuylkill county. They have become the parents of the fol- lowing children: Emma is the wife of Oliver Link, of Port Carbon, Pa .; George married Lucy Cooke, and they reside with her parents; Laura is the wife of Francis Knabb, and they reside at Reading, Pa .; Edwin, who is em- ployed as chief clerk to George B. Hadesty, of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company, at Pottsville, Pa., married Mary Davis, and they have two children, William and Edwin ( who was born at Tuscarora) ; Raymond is at home. All the family are members of the Reformed Church but Raymond, who is a member of the Lutheran Church.
AARON L. RICE, proprietor of a popular meat market in Gordon, Schuyl- kill county, Pa., was born July 5, 1881, son of Charles and Isabella (Seitzinger) Rice, and grandson of Frederick Rice. The latter was a pioneer of this county and an employee of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company for many years, employed in the machine shops at Gordon. His children were ten in number, of whom six are living, viz .: William; Charles; Aaron ; Louisa, wife of Charles Bergstresser. of Lykens, Pa .; Arabella, wife of Ells- worth Shoemaker, of Gordon; and Mary, residing at Gordon.
1083
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Charles Rice, father of Aaron L. Rice, was born in Berry township, Schuylkill county, where he obtained his early schooling. He adopted the occupation of machinist and entered the Reading shops, having been in the employ of the company for over thirty-five years. He married Isabella Seitzinger, daughter of Israel and Margaret (Heebner) Seitzinger, of Gor- don, and they have children as follows: Frederick, a physician and surgeon, of Sunbury, Pa .; Margaret, deceased; Gertrude, at home; Aaron L .; Edith, at home; Estella, wife of Harry Gearhart, of Pottsville, Pa .; Charles, who resides at Gordon ; Ruth, at home; Cameron, who lives at home and is in the employ of his brother Aaron L .; and one child, Beatrice, who died in infancy.
Aaron L. Rice was educated in the schools of Gordon, and learned the trade of meat cutter in the Kleber butcher shop. So well did he apply him- self to the business, and so successful were his efforts, that in 1912 he bought out his employer, and has conducted the establishment on his own account ever since. He does his own killing and has a fine packing and shipping estab- lishment in addition to the meat shop. His business is rapidly increasing and he is considered one of the rising men of Gordon.
Mr. Rice was united in marriage, Oct. 19, 1913, to Mercy, daughter of John and Mercy (Jones) Valentine, of Ashland, both of whom are residing in that place, the father being employed in one of the collieries there. Mrs. Rice is one of three children, the others being Anna, the wife of Edward Edwards, residing in Philadelphia, and George, who resides at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county. Mr. Rice is a member of the Methodist Church, and is very active in the work of the Sunday school, of which he has been secretary for the past sixteen years.
FREDERICK WITHELDER, of Reilly township, at present filling the position of truant officer, has been an efficient worker in the public service and is a much respected citizen of his section of Schuylkill county. He is of German descent, and was born Nov. 2, 1852, at Brockton, Schuylkill county, son of Henry Withelder.
Henry Withelder was a native of Germany and spent his early life there, being a young man of twenty-two years when he arrived in America. He settled at Big Vein, Reilly township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and having followed mining in his native land became a coal operator, following that business for a number of years. He owned the Dundas colliery in Reilly township. His death occurred when he was forty-eight years old, at Newtown, this county, where he was well known, and he is buried in the cemetery at Clouser's Church. He married Margaret Arnold, like himself a native of Germany, who came to America when eighteen years old. They had a large family, namely : George; Lewis ; Frederick ; Henry ; John; Peter, who died young; Mary, wife of Jacob Miller ; and Elizabeth, who married Thomas Jones.
Frederick Withelder had ordinary school advantages in his youth, and followed mining until nineteen years old. He then turned to wheelwrighting, at which he worked for thirteen weeks, after which he followed the barber's trade for thirteen years. For a time he worked by the day, and in 1914 he was made truant officer of Reilly township, where he has also served as as- sistant assessor. The family is much esteemed in Reilly township, where its members have been favorably known ever since Henry Withelder arrived here. Mr. Frederick Withelder is a devout member of the Reformed Church, which he has served as deacon.
1084
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Mr. Withelder was married to Mary Snyder, daughter of George L. Snyder, and she died in October, 1906, the mother of children as follows: Margaret married Alfred Griffith; Mary married George Stein; Dora married George' Griffith; Frederick, twin of Dora, lives at home; Elenora married James Brennen ; Henry is deceased ; George and Henrietta are at home.
JOHN W. DONMOYER, proprietor of the "Central Hotel" at Pine Grove, is a citizen who reflects in his own reliable character the qualities for which the name has become so respected in Schuylkill county. He is a grand- son of the late William Donmoyer, an old settler of this section, and a son of Peter B. Donmoyer. The latter was born in Pine Grove township and still lives there, now leading a retired life. During his active years he was engaged in mining in the township. He married Emma Spancake, daughter of the late John Spancake, a pioneer settler of this section and long resident in Pine Grove township, where he followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Donmoyer are the parents of eight children, of whom the eldest, Frank, resides at Tre- mont, this county; John W. is next in the order of birth; Harry is deceased ; Irvin lives in Pine Grove township; Frederick is deceased; Carrie is the wife of Clyde Hesser, of Pine Grove township; William is in business with his brother John; Benjamin lives at home.
John W. Donmoyer was born in 1880 in Pine Grove township, where he grew to manhood, meantime attending the local public schools. After leav- ing school he turned to mine work, at which he continued for twelve years, until he became interested in his present line. Buying the "Central Hotel" at Pine Grove, he has since conducted it to the satisfaction of a steadily increasing business and number of patrons. His sincere desire to give the best accommodations and service possible has drawn trade from the time he assumed the ownership of the hotel, which has gained much in popularity under his management. Mr. Donmoyer's various social connections also make him well known. He is a member of the Pine Grove Fire Company, of the P. O. S. of A., Improved Order of Red Men, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Fraternal Order of Eagles (Aerie No. 134, of Pottsville), and American Casualty Company of Reading.
In 1900 Mr. Donmoyer married Eva Christ, who was born in Pine Grove, daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Mowrey) Christ, the latter now deceased ; Mr. Christ makes his home in Pine Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Donmoyer have two children : Emma and Harry.
FRANK BOSCHE, agent at Ashland for Peter Barbey & Son, brewers, of Reading, Pa., is well known in the borough. He is a native of Schuylkill county, born at St. Clair Oct. 10, 1866, son of Valentine and Catherine ( Bier- schmidt ) Bosche.
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.