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 70
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The parents were natives of Germany, but came to this country when very young, and they were married at Pottsville. After living at St. Clair for a number of years they removed, in 1876, to Locust Gap, this county, where they passed the remainder of their lives, Mr. Bosche dying twenty-two years ago, Mrs. Bosche twenty years ago. After settling in Schuylkill county he was engaged at work in the mines. The Bierschmidts were early settlers in Schuylkill county, and Mrs. Bosche passed her younger life at St. Clair. Twelve children were born to her and her husband, namely: Peter, who is deceased; George, deceased; Lena, deceased; Joseph, living at Locust Gap;
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John, of Locust Gap; Frank ; Henry and Valentine, twins; Charles, a resident of Locust Gap; Michael, David and Lena (2), all three deceased.
Frank Bosche attended school at St. Clair and Locust Gap. When four- teen years old he was sent to work in the mines, where he was employed until seriously injured, losing a leg. Then he learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed for nine years in Locust Gap, until he engaged in business for himself, conducting a saloon. Moving thence to Ashland, he carried on a saloon on Center street for seventeen years, and in 1909 purchased his pres- ent place, having a prosperous saloon and cafe. He has established a profitable trade, and is well and favorably known in the borough, belonging to the B. P. O. Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
In 1899 Mr. Bosche married Rosalia Walsh, of Centralia, Columbia Co., Pa., daughter of David and Catherine Walsh, both of whom are now de- ceased. Mr. Walsh was a miner by occupation, and for years served as justice of the peace at Centralia, and held the office of overseer of the poor in Columbia county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bosche : Catherine, Francis, Mary, Helen and Raymond. Mr. and Mrs. Bosche are members of St. Joseph's Church of Ashland.
JACOB S. HONSBERGER, now living retired at New Ringgold, has been a resident of Schuylkill county since he was five years old. He is a native of Bucks county, Pa., born Dec. 5, 1840, in the lower end of Milford township. His grandfather, Benjamin Honsberger, was a farmer in that county, and he and his wife are buried at Allentown, Pennsylvania.
William Henry Honsberger, father of Jacob S. Honsberger, was born in 1815 in Bucks county, where he spent the earlier part of his life. He became an expert carpet weaver, and followed that business in his native county until his removal to Schuylkill county, where he made a settlement in East Brunswick township. Here, besides working at his trade, he engaged in agriculture, acquiring the ownership of a tract of thirty acres which he culti- vated very successfully. He was so occupied until his death, which occurred in 1858, at McKeansburg. Mr. Honsberger not only did his duty by his family, but also in the larger obligations affecting the general welfare. He filled the office of constable, took an active interest in politics as an old-schoo! Democrat, and was a faithful member of the German Reformed Church, bearing a prominent part in the work of the Sunday school, which he served as superintendent. He and his wife Lydia are buried at McKeansburg. Mr. Honsberger was twice married, first to Lydia Carver, born in 1817, died in 1850, daughter of Jacob Carver, whose wife's name was Kuder. To this union were born six children: Charles, who married Lucy Rehrig, now resides in Zion Grove, Schuylkill county ; he was a soldier in the Union army. Henry, deceased, was also a soldier in the Union army; he married Mary Marburger, who resides in Reading, Pa. Jacob S. is next in the family. William, deceased, served in the Union army ; he married Catherine Dress, who lives in Cressona, Pa. Martin, deceased, was a soldier in the Union army and died shortly after the war, leaving three children. Sarah married Frank Day and resides in Hartford, Conn. By his second marriage, to Mrs. Mary (Stanner) Poffinger, Mr. Honsberger had the following children: Edward married Lizzie Swartz, and both are deceased; Mary married John Eck, who was killed on the railroad, and she resides in Easton, Pa. The mother is deceased. By her union with Mr. Poffinger she had four children: Henry,
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Francis, Sarah and Priscilla. Henry and Francis were in the Union army, and the latter was killed in the service.
Jacob S. Honsberger was but five years old when he came with his parents to Schuylkill county, the family settling in East Brunswick township, where he received his education in the district schools. After his father's death he went to live with George Moser, with whom he remained until he went to learn his trade, meantime working on the Moser farm. Then he entered the employ of William Lenhart, at Drehersville, this county, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted from Drehersville, on Aug. 9, 1861, in Company A, 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Harrisburg, Pa., the command being as- signed to the 9th Corps, under General Burnside. In 1862 it became con- nected with the Army of the Potomac. In the spring of 1863 General Burnside was relieved by General McClellan, and the 9th Corps was transferred to Kentucky. Under this enlistment Mr. Honsberger participated in the battles of Newbern, N. C .; Second Bull Run ; Shady Coe; South Mountain ; Antietam; Fredericksburg; and the siege of Knoxville, Tenn. He reenlisted in January, 1864, at Plains Cross Roads, in eastern Tennessee, in the same company and regiment, as a Pennsylvania veteran volunteer, and participated in the cam- paign of General Grant, taking part in the first battle of the Wilderness; Spottsylvania ; Cold Harbor ; siege of Petersburg ; and the battle of Appomattox Court House. He was mustered out at Harrisburg in August, 1865, and re- turned to East Brunswick township, where he resumed work at his trade. Not long afterwards he married and moved to near Orwigsburg, in West Brunswick township, where he bought a small tract of land and had his own blacksmith shop, working industriously and prospering. After remaining there eighteen years he removed to New Ringgold borough and entered the broom manufacturing business, selling the output of his factory in the imme- diate vicinity and surrounding counties. When he gave up the manufacturing business he entered the employ of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, and was engaged in stripping coal near Mauch Chunk, and he was foreman for that company for sixteen years. Later he was appointed a keeper in the insane department at the County Home at Schuylkill Haven, a position he held for four years, since when he has lived retired.
Mr. Honsberger married Mary Matilda Walborn, who was born in West Brunswick township in January, 1846, daughter of Uriah and Amanda (Christ) Walborn, and the following children have been born to them: Ida married Henry L. Miller, and they reside at Port Carbon, Pa .; Henry Uriah married Ida Sassaman and resides at Lansford, Pa .; Sarah Amanda married Albert Gottshall, and they make their home at Reading, Pa .; William, who married Emma Cope, is a telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Reading, where he resides; George W. is at Baltimore, Md., as manager for the Western Union Telegraph Company; Lydia is engaged as forelady in the laundry of the Schuylkill county almshouse; Gertrude is married to I. G. Yost, and resides at Reading, Pa .; Edward is a merchant and post- master at Tarrs, Westmoreland Co., Pa .; Charles Herman married Nellie Benedict.
In political sentiment Mr. Honsberger is a Republican, and he has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of school director for twenty-four years, first in West Brunswick township, and later in New Ringgold borough. He is a member of Washington Camp No. 100, P. O. S. of A., New Ringgold,
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and of Severn Post, No. 110, G. A. R., at Mahanoy City; and his religious connection is with the United Evangelical Church, in which he has been chosen to the position of trustee and Sunday school superintendent.
John (or Johan) Walborn, grandfather of Mrs. Honsberger, was born near Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., June 30, 1799, and died Aug. 13, 1872. By occupation he was a farmer. Coming to Schuylkill county he settled in West Brunswick township about two miles east of Pinedale, and there con- tinued to farm until his death. He is buried at the Red Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Susanna Albright, was born Dec. 4, 1804, and died Oct. 30, 1884. They had children as follows: Daniel, Uriah, William, Peter, Rebecca (married), Catherine (married John Ketner), Cyrus (deceased) and Diana (married Martin Moyer).
Uriah Walborn, son of John, was a farmer in West Brunswick township, and followed farming, having a tract of eighty acres, which he sold when he retired and moved to Pinedale. He married Amanda Christ, a daughter of John Christ, and they had the following children: John, who married Katie Bast; Edward; and Mary Matilda, Mrs. Honsberger. The father died in December, 1913, aged eighty-six years, the mother dying aged seventy years, and they are buried at the Red Church near Orwigsburg.
EDWARD F. BECK, of Schuylkill Haven, who is in the employ of the Cressona Powder Company, was born at Glenworth, in North Manheim town- ship, Schuylkill county, Jan. 30, 1863, son of George Beck and grandson of Jacob Beck. The family is of German descent.
Jacob Beck was born in 1789 in Reitlingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, where he grew to manhood and married. The year of his marriage (1817) he came to America and settled in the Schuylkill valley in Pennsylvania. For a nun- ber of years he was employed on the Schuylkill canal, between French Creek and Pottsville, afterwards constructing and repairing the locks and acting as carpenter foreman. Having considerable knowledge of drafting he obtained the position of assistant engineer in the survey of the Mine Hill railroad, which was built in 1828-30. Between 1818 and 1822 he made his home in Potts- ville, in the last year buying a farm in Manheim township, 100 acres, upon which he erected a sawmill and later a gristmill. Around this centre of activity a town soon sprang up, which was given the name of Beckville. Mr. Beck died in 1850, leaving behind him a heritage of honor and public service which was ably continued by his posterity. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and held many of the church offices, being treasurer at the time of his death. He was a Democrat, and filled the office of school director for a num- ber of years.
In 1817 Jacob Beck was married to Anna Maria Beider, who was born in 1794 and died in 1870, and to them nine children were born: (1) Elizabeth married Joseph Wilde, whom she survived, her death occurring at Hazle- ton, Pa. Their children were: George (deceased), Joseph, Bide, Tillie, John J., Charles, and Libby (deceased). (2) Jacob died young. (3) Fred- erick, born Dec. 6, 1824, died in North Manheim township. He married Magdaline Hurleman, and they had three children: George J., deceased ; Mary L., wife of Dr. J. W. Weist, of Schuylkill Haven; and Charles F., a merchant of Cressona. (4) George is mentioned below. (5) Edward mar- ried Mary Ann Strauch, and had one son, Isaac G. (6) John, who died at Beckville, had three children, William J., Blanche, and Maria (deceased).
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(7) Mary married Emil Stecker, and died at Mount Carmel, Pa. She had chil- dren as follows: George, Henry (deceased), Naomi (Mrs. Lord), Joseph, Ada (Mrs. Wentz), and Katie (Mrs. Sement), the last named deceased. (8) Catherine married David Clark and resides at Hazleton at the age of eighty years. Her children were: Jennie (Mrs. Engle), George (deceased), Cath- erine (Mrs. Samuel Price), Frank, and Potter (deceased). (9) William, a miller of Beckville, had these children: Ada, widow of George Dechert; John J., of Reading, Pa .; Catherine, Blanche and Annie, all unmarried ; Mabel, wife of Edward Silliman, of Mahanoy City; and Clarence, who lives at Kings- ton, Pennsylvania.
George Beck was born at Beckville, Pa., and was a carpenter by trade. He was engaged in agriculture during the greater portion of his life, cultivating a farm of about fifty-five acres at Glenworth, Pa. He was married to Salome, daughter of George Hirleman, and they had children as follows: Mary J., wife of George W. Coover; Barbara L., wife of Charles J. Smith; Katie, wife of William Conner; William H., living at Hazleton, Pa .; George J., who died at Hazleton ; Edward F .; and David F., who died at Glenworth. George Beck was born Aug. 31, 1827, and died June 14, 1890. His wife, Salome, was born Oct. 6, 1826, and died Dec. 3, 1909. They are buried in the Union ceme- tery at Schuylkill Haven.
Edward F. Beck was born on the old family homestead at Glenworth and attended public school in North Manheim township. He learned the trade of wheelwright at Pottsville, but followed it for only a few years, after which he worked as carpenter for the Lehigh Valley Company for twelve years. In July, 1898, he entered the employ of the Cressona Powder Company, and has since been doing all of the mill work for that company, being an all-around mechanic. He married Katie R. Roeder, daughter of Isaac Roeder, of Schuylkill Haven, and to this union five children have been born: Mattie A., a graduate of the Kutztown State Normal School, taught school for three years at Schuylkill Haven and is now at the University of Pennsylvania ; C. Lester, who married Ida Brown, resides at Schuylkill Haven and is superin- tendent of the electric power plant there; Preston is a stenographer for the Coal & Iron Co., at Pottsville, Pa .; Harry G. is an electrician; Olive com- pletes the family. Mr. Beck is a Democrat and has served on the board of health of his district. He is a member of the First Reformed Church and of the P. O. S. of A. camp at Pottsville, and of Tribe No. 82, Improved Order of Red Men, of Cressona.
JAMES A. MAURER stands at the head of the building business in his section of Schuylkill county, where the influence of his high standards has been of appreciable value in implanting ideals of excellence in this progressive region. His operations have been principally in Minersville and vicinity, and the examples of his work are numerous enough to show how thoroughly he has intrenched himself in the general favor. Mr. Maurer is a native of Schuylkill county, born near Donaldson in the Mahanoy valley, Feb. 24. 1865, son of George Maurer. His grandfather lived and died near Klingerstown, this county.
George Maurer, the father, followed the profession of school teacher throughout his active years, and was well known in that connection in the Mahanoy valley. He died there and is buried in the church cemetery at Klingerstown. By his marriage to Catherine Kopenheffer, daughter of the
James A Manner
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well known Fred Kopenheffer, of Lykens Valley, Pa., he had a family of six children, namely: Allen, Emma, Jackson, James A., Philip and George, the last named dying in infancy.
James A. Maurer has had to make his own way in the world, having been only a boy when his father died. His first occupation was as door tender at the mines at East Brookside, and when he was only ten years old he drove mules. For about five years he was employed at East Brookside colliery, and when a youth of seventeen began to learn the carpenter's trade with Daniel Umholtz, with whom he remained for five and a half years. He then became foreman for Daniel Haws at Gordon, for a time, after which he came to Minersville and became engaged with Adam Hinkle at sub-contracting. Having gained considerable experience in this connection he began general contracting and building on his own account, and much of the first-class work done in the town since has been intrusted to him, the German Lutheran church and many other substantial buildings at Minersville and in that neighborhood being of his construction. He keeps from ten to twelve carpenters steadily employed and is always well supplied with work, his reputation being estab- lished upon the substantial basis of satisfactory work. Besides being an authority in his own line, Mr. Maurer is looked up to by his fellow citizens of all classes, being one of the foremost men of the borough, a member of the present town council, and active in every forward movement in the community. He is a member of the Reformed Church at Minersville and one of the valuable workers in the congregation.
Mr. Maurer married Lydia Miller, daughter of Squire George G. Miller, of Lykens Valley, Pa., a well known resident of that section for many years, where he is a successful merchant and justice of the peace of high standing. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Maurer, namely : Daniel A., Martha. Annie, Mary ( deceased ), Esther ( deceased), Helen, Tillie (now attending Ursinus College), George, James, Irvin, Laura, Paul and Harry.
Daniel A. Maurer, eldest child of James A. Maurer, was reared at Miners- ville and graduated from the high school at that borough. He then took a course at the Lehigh University, and after his graduation spent five years in Kentucky in the employ of the Consolidated Coal Company. He is now located at Fairmont, W. Va., in the employ of the same concern, acting as superintendent of the electrical plant at that point.
LEVI E. REINOEHL, who lives retired at Pine Grove, has spent his entire life in Schuylkill county and has been a resident of the borough from boyhood. Born Dec. 13, 1847, at Donaldson, he is a son of Henry Reinoehl and grandson of Henry Reinoehl, who settled in the county at an early day.
Henry Reinoehl, father of Levi E., was very young when the family moved to Schuylkill county, lived at Donaldson for a number of years, died at Pine Grove, and is buried in the cemetery there. By occupation he was a miner. During the Civil war he enlisted from Schuylkill county, serving three months in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and later, under a sec- ond enlistment, in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he remained to the end of the war. He took part in many battles, and assisted in the capture of Jefferson Davis. Upon the close of hostilities he returned to Pine Grove, and there remained until his death, which occurred when he was forty-four years old. Mr. Reinoehl married Harriet Fasnacht, a native of Lebanon county, Pa., and she also died at Pine Grove and is buried in the cemetery Vol. II-31
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there. Of the six children born to this marriage Emma, the eldest, is the widow of Jonathan Leffer, who was killed in the Brookside colliery; Levi E. is next in the family; Joseph and Henry were killed in the mines; George is deceased; Lydia is the widow of George Opie.
Levi E. Reinoehl was a boy when the family removed to Pine Grove, where he had common school advantages. When fifteen years of age he began work at the mines, where he continued to be employed for the next forty-seven years. His progress was steady, and for a number of years before his retirement he was engaged on contract work. He is a member of the United Mine Workers' Union. Mr. Reinoehl's honesty and substantial qualities have been rewarded with the high regard of all who have known him, and he occupies a creditable position among his townsmen. He is a member of the Pine Grove Fire Company, and he has belonged to Washington Camp No. 49, P. O. S. of A., for forty-five years.
In 1868 Mr. Reinoehl was married to Elizabeth Markey, who was born in Pine Grove, daughter of George and Katie (Sathan) Markey, old resi- dents of Schuylkill county, who remained in Pine Grove township until they died. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reinoehl: Ida is the wife of Robert Clark and now residing in Detroit, Mich .; Mamie, who is a trained nurse, is in Philadelphia; Agnes is the wife of William Thomas, of Phila- delphia ; Charles met an accidental death at Pine Grove; Stella is the wife of Howard Wertley, who conducts a drug store in Philadelphia; Bessie is en- gaged as a bookkeeper in Philadelphia.
J. S. WHITE, a prominent and progressive farmer of Butler township, Schuylkill county, was born in that township in 1874, son of John and Eliza- beth (Farr) White, the father a native of England, the mother of Wales. The grandfather came to America about the middle of the nineteenth century and located at Williamstown, Pa., where he lived and died.
John White, father of J. S. White, came to Schuylkill county after the close of the Civil war and bought a farm, which he cultivated until his death, in 1895. His wife died in 1900. He married Elizabeth Farr, and their chil- dren were nine in number, viz .: James, a resident of Frackville; Mary J., widow of Harrison Fisher; Alice, widow of Henry Mader, residing in Phila- delphia; John, residing at Fountain Springs; William, residing at Mount Carmel; Elizabeth, wife of Louis Mader, of Butler township; Martha, wife of Charles Umlauf, of Philadelphia ; George, residing in Butler township ; and J. S.
J. S. White was educated in the schools of Butler township, and after leaving school worked on the farm of his father. After his marriage he purchased the farm where he now resides, and which he has brought into a high state of cultivation, conducting a general farming and dairy business. Mr. White was married in 1894 to Hannah Hilgendorf, who was born in Ashland, Pa., daughter of Frederick and Minnie (Peal) Hilgendorf. By this union six children have been born: Frank, Walter, Harry, Margaret, Mary, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. White is a member of the church at Fountain Springs.
Frederick Hilgendorf, father of Mrs. White, was born in Germany, and after coming to America resided at Ashland and worked in the mines. He died there Nov. 17, 1903. By his wife, Minnie Peal, who was also a native of Germany, he had four children: Gussie, deceased, wife of Charles Bentz- ler, of Butler township; Frederick, who resides at Fountain Springs; Hannah,
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Mrs. White; and Lottie, the wife of Frederick Brazington. Mrs. Hilgendorf is still living in Fountain Springs.
PETER ELISON, of Pottsville, belongs to a family of German extrac- tion. Joseph Elison, his grandfather, lived and died in Germany. He learned the trade of wheelwright and followed it to some extent, but eventually turned all his attention to farming, which he carried on until his death. He married Magdalena Obergeffel, and they reared the following children: Alois; Charles, who still resides at Pottsville, Pa .; Augustus, who died at Pottsville; Joseph ; and a daughter who still lives on the old homestead in Germany. Of this family, Joseph, born Jan. 12, 1849, in Orsghweier, Baden, Germany, died July 8, 1884, at Godhaven, Greenland. He was a sergeant in the United States army, attached to Greeley's Arctic expedition, and died after having been rescued by the Schley Relief Squadron.
Alois Elison, father of Peter, was born in Baden, Germany, and was reared in his native land, being about twenty years old when he came to America. Settling at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., he was employed in the Atkins Rolling Mills for many years, and afterwards engaged in teaming for a while. Then he went into the hotel business, on West Mahantongo street, Yorkville, at the stand where his son Peter was afterwards located, continuing in this line until his death, which occurred July 11, 1896. He married Walberga Brahler, daughter of Peter and Regina (Ritzel) Brahler. Mr. Brahler was a native of Hesse, Germany, and on coming to America settled at Pottsville, where he lived and died. By occupation he was a miner. He and his wife had two children, Walberga and Theresa, the latter deceased. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Elison, namely: Anna married Valentine Montage, and has two children, Bertha and Clara; Mary married Joseph Bettler, of Potts- ville, and they have the following children, Carl, Paul, Edward, Dorothy, Florence, Maria, Clara and Mildred; Joseph, of Pottsville, married Lottie Ackerman, and their children are Anna, Aloysius, Agnes, Robert, John and Charlotte; George married Mary Phillip, and their children are Augustus, Francis and Helen; Peter is next in the family; Caroline married Adam J. Bender, and has two children, Emma and Albert.
Peter Elison was born in Pottsville Nov. 2, 1877, and here grew to man- hood, receiving his education in the parochial schools. From boyhood he assisted his father. In 1898, when the Spanish-American war broke out, he enlisted for service in Company H, 8th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nine months in the army. After his return to Pottsville he was employed at a local brewery for some time, and followed this with three years' residence in Philadelphia, where he worked for the Midvale Steel Company. Returning to Pottsville, he entered the employ of the Mellet & Nichter Brewing Com- pany, with whom he continued until September, 1913, when he went into the hotel business as proprietor of the "Klondike Hotel," which was established some forty years ago, and where he had had some previous experience, dur- ing his father's ownership. Under Mr. Elison's management the excellent patronage enjoyed by this house was fully retained, and he was very popular with all who availed themselves of his hospitality. He has recently given up the hotel, and is now located at No. 1229 West Market street, Pottsville. Dur- ing his connection with the brewery business Mr. Ellison became a member of the United Brewery Workers, and fraternally he holds membership in the Foresters of America. He is a member of the American Hose Company, and
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