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 72
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inventor, having on the market two patents that are in great demand, a noz- zle for sausage stuffers and lard presses, and an improvement on miners' lamps. During the Spanish-American war Mr. Rump displayed his patriotism by enlisting for service in Company G, 4th Pennsylvania Volunteers, from Pine Grove, under Capt. J. W. Unbenhauer, and he saw active service in line of battle one mile North of Guama Hill, Porto Rico, on the 13th day of August, 1898. The troops were withdrawn upon the signing of the peace protocol.
William J. Rump was married to Rickie Shoch, a daughter of Gotlieb Shoch, a veteran of the Civil war, who served his adopted country through- out the conflict. Mr. and Mrs. Rump are the parents of two children, Lillie E. and Roma L. Mr. Rump is a charter member of Taliahia Tribe, No. 374, Improved Order of Red Men, of Pine Grove, and he also belongs to Camp No. 223, P. O. S. of A., of Suedberg. A well read man, Mr. Rump keeps him- self thoroughly posted regarding the trend of public opinion, and can always be relied upon to give his support to those measures which look towards the advancement of the community.
WILLIAM F. BICHT, tax collector for Porter township, is one of the well known men of Schuylkill county. He was born April 15, 1852, in Kallen- mark, near Halle, on the Saale, in the province of Saxony, Germany, April 15. 1852, a son of Gotlieb Bicht. The latter served in the German army, and rounded out his life in his native land.
Growing up in his home place, William F. Bicht learned the blacksmith's trade, and after reaching the age of nineteen years traveled from place to place, working at his calling. At different times he avas in Saxony, Alsace, Bavaria, Baden and Wurtemberg, Germany, and eventually at Strassburg, going from the latter place to Switzerland. There he married, and for four years thereafter continued to live in Switzerland, in 1880, with his wife and three children, setting sail for the United States. They arrived at Castle Garden, New York City, May 13th of that year, and thence came at once to Reiner City, Pa., to join Mr. Bicht's brother, Gotlieb Bicht, who had come here in 1866 and engaged in mining. Subsequently this brother went to Potts- ville, Pa., where he died. Immediately following his arrival William F. Bicht began working in the mines, and continued at that work until 1908, at the same time following his trade. Finding an opening in 1908, he built him- self a shop, and carried on blacksmithing there. In 1894 he had erected a very handsome residence at Reiner City. A stanch Republican, Mr. Bicht served Porter township for six years as treasurer; was treasurer of the school board for one year, and in 1911 was elected township collector, which office he has since held. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. In religious matters he belongs to the Evangelical Church.
In 1876 Mr. Bicht was married in Switzerland to Anna Schweitzer, and they became the parents of these children: William, who lives at Reiner City ; Charles, who died in 1913; Ernest, who died in 1898; Annie, who mar- ried Howard Updegrave ; and Lydia, who married Charles Reiner. The eldest three children were born in Switzerland. A man of high principles, Mr. Bicht has discharged the duties of his several offices ably and honorably, and he stands deservedly well with his fellow citizens.
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ELLIS J. ENGLISH, watchman at the West Brookside colliery, at Tower City, Pa., was born at English Mills, Lycoming Co., Pa., Oct. 8, 1855, son of John W. and Mary Jane (Campbell) English, and a grandson of James English.
The great-grandfather of Ellis J. English was the progenitor of this fam- ily in America, coming from the North of Ireland prior to the Revolutionary war and serving in that struggle as a soldier of the Patriot army. Later he settled at Williamsport, in Lycoming county, Pa., where several members of this old family still reside. He was a large landowner, became a well-to-do and highly respected citizen, and died in advanced years. His son, James English, the grandfather of Ellis J. English, was also a well known figure in Lycoming county, where he was largely engaged as a farmer and in the handling of timber. He was the owner of a sawmill and a gristmill, and in addition to a well cultivated and valuable farm was the owner of much timber land. His children were: Timothy, Rice, John W., Stephen, Ellis, and sev- eral daughters.
John W. English, the father of Ellis J. English, grew up in Lycoming county and there followed farming and lumbering at English Mills, which place was named in the family's honor. In 1879 he removed to Tioga county, Pa., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and continued to be so occupied until his death, which occurred April 1, 1894, when he was seventy years of age. Mr. English was a man of industry and integrity, and had the full con- fidence and esteem of the people of his community. He married Mary Jane Campbell, a member of an old North of Ireland family which came to Amer- ica about the same time as did the forebear of the English family. Mrs. Eng- lish survives her husband, having reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years, and lives at Covington, Tioga Co., Pa. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. English: Ellis J .; Leslie; John; William; Mary, who married George W. Smith; and Viola, who married Darius Darling.
Ellis J. English was given his education in the public schools of Lycoming county, after leaving which he was for a time employed on his father's farm and at lumbering. For six years he also had experience in the mercantile business at Cherry Flats, Tioga county, and during this time served in the capacity of assistant postmaster. In the spring of 1889 Mr. English came to Tower City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he conducted a store until about 1895, in which year he entered the service of the Reading Company. Since 1907 he has been watchman at the West Brookside colliery, being one of his com- pany's most trusted and valuable men.
Mr. English married Ida Updegrave, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Liebold) Updegrave. She died Sept. 8, 1910, and was laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery, at Tower City. Mr. and Mrs. English had three children : Eva, who is a graduate of the Tower City high school, class of 1909, and resides at home; Ella, who is a graduate of St. Joseph's Hospital, Reading, Pa., class of April, 1915, and now a professional trained nurse ; and Daniel Webster, who is a medical student at Philadelphia, preparing for a career as a chemist. Mr. English and his children are members of the Lutheran Church.
MICHAEL WELDON, of Mahanoy City, has been stationed at the North Mahanoy colliery for almost twenty years, in a responsible capacity. Since 1904 he has been inside foreman. He is one of the highly esteemed
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citizens of the borough, and his father, James Weldon, was a respected resident of this section of Pennsylvania most of his active life. The latter was a native of Ireland, came to America when a young man, and first located at New Castle, Del. But after a short stay there he came to Schuylkill county, Pa. For a brief period he was at Mount Laffer, near Pottsville, was sub- sequently at Big Mine Run until 1865, and thereafter at Locust Summit, where he made his home until his death, in 1903. He followed railroad work. To his marriage with Helen Holland were born these children: John, who lives at Philadelphia ; James, of Locust Dale, Pa .; Ellen, who is a resident of Locust Gap, Pa .; Michael; and Thomas, who died in 1915 at Philadelphia (he was a well known mine superintendent in West Virginia).
Michael Weldon was born Oct. 2, 1860, at New Castle, Del., and was a mere child when he came to Pennsylvania. He has made his own way in the world, having earned promotion to the position he now holds by the efficient discharge of every duty assigned him. Beginning as a breaker boy when only eight years old, he has always been employed at the mines. He went to work underground at the age of eleven, and was engaged as a regular miner until 1897, when he was transferred to the North Mahanoy colliery, at Ma- hanoy City, in the Schuylkill section. Here he filled the position of fire boss until 1904, when he was advanced to inside foreman, and his thorough knowl- edge of the workings, conscientious attention to all the details of his labors, and general competence, have made his services thoroughly satisfactory. He has excellent personal standing, is a member of the Catholic Church, and fraternally affiliates with the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Weldon married Margaret C. Kelley, of Locust Dale, and they have the following children: Mary, a graduate of the local high school, now a public school teacher in Mahanoy City; Nellie, a bookkeeper at the Wool- worth store in Mahanoy City; Rose, a graduate of the Mahanoy City high school, living at home; and Marguerite, Bernard and James, all attending ยท school.
THE MERCANTILE CLUB of Minersville, notwithstanding its name, was established as a purely social organization and has been so maintained during its continuous existence of a quarter of a century. A record of un- broken popularity bears witness that it has served its purpose most admir- ably. Founded Sept. 22, 1889, by a few men, its present membership of fifty includes representatives of the leading business interests of the borough. On Oct. 2, 1889, the club rented rooms in the David A. Jones building, and on March 1, 1890, leased the second floor of the Quinn building, where it was quartered for over five years, on Sept. 1, 1895, removing to its present home in the Odd Fellows building. The club rooms are handsomely furnished, with abundant provisions for comfort and pleasure in the way of inviting leather chairs and couches, billiard, pool and card tables, all of which are thoroughly enjoyed by those admitted to the privileges of the club. It occupies a dis- tinct place in the social system of the community.
Mr. William H. Potter was the first president of the club, and Mr. Heck- man was the first secretary. The present officers ( 1914) are: George Ball, president ; Ira Jones (publisher of the Free Press), secretary.
WILLIAM EBERLY, proprietor of the "Continental Hotel" at Adams- dale, Schuylkill Co., Pa., was born in Pine Grove township, this county, Dec.
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29, 1854. Upon the paternal side he is of Irish ancestry, and his forbears were among the pioneers of this section of the State of Pennsylvania.
Jacob Eberly, the grandfather, was born in Ireland and came to America when a small boy, settling in Pine Grove township. He was a farmer, owned land there, and died on his farm at the age of seventy-three years. He is buried in the old cemetery attached to the Pine Grove Church. His chil- dren were three, Elizabeth, Nancy and George.
George Eberly was born in Pine Grove township and grew up there. He became a carpenter and for many years was employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, living at Birt's Hill, in Pine Grove township, where he owned two small farms. He retired a few years previous to his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-three; his remains were interred in the Pine Grove cemetery. He married Sarah Royer, who died at the age of seventy-two, and they had five children: William, Mary Ann, John, Elmira and Lyman.
William Eberly was reared upon the home farm where he remained until his eighteenth year. Then he went to Reading, Pa., working there for two years, and thence moved to Lenhartsville, Berks county, working for about seven years in the construction and repairing of county bridges. He was in the bakery business for ten years, then ran a hotel at Pine Grove for two years, after which he returned to Lenhartsville for a year. Going to Ham- burg he bought a hotel, ran it for four years, and then retired for a time. He came to Adamsdale and on May 2, 1900, leased the hotel he is at present conducting, which he has operated with much success. He has a fine trade and has gained the esteem and respect of his patrons and the public generally.
Mr. Eberly married Anna Maria, daughter of Frank Fenstermacher, of Longswamp township, Berks Co., Pa., and their children are as follows: George Franklin, a farmer, living at Windsor Castle, Berks county; and Charles, who died at the age of twenty-four years.
Mr. Eberly is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Kutztown, Pa., and of the Liquor Dealers' Association of Schuylkill County. He attends the Reformed Church. Politically he is a Democrat, but independent in local affairs.
MICHAEL SCHOENEMAN, of Pottsville, has for forty years been in charge of the manufacturing department at the county jail, where he has also acted as under keeper. His long retention in the public service shows the value placed upon his work by his fellow citizens. Mr. Schoeneman is a native of Germany, born May 21, 1842, in Wurtemberg, son of Frederick Schoene- man, who lived and died in that country. The father was an educated man and engaged as a clerk. The grandfather was a school teacher in Germany.
Michael Schoeneman obtained a public school education in his native land and first worked at farm labor with his grandmother. He then learned weaving, serving an apprenticeship of two years, and followed the trade throughout the period of his residence in Germany, learning to do fine work. Leaving for America in May, 1864, he landed at New York City in June, and then proceeded to Philadelphia, where he spent two weeks. Coming from there to Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill county, he found employment unload- ing canal boats, and was thus engaged for eight years. He then took up the work of carpet weaver, in which he was very successful, following it until appointed to take charge of the weaving department of the county jail at
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Pottsville, in 1874. Under his supervision the knitting business was started at the institution, the product being men's cotton socks, which have a large sale. Mr. Schoeneman has managed the affairs under his charge most effi- ciently, and is a highly respected resident of Pottsville. During the many years of his service he has had a variety of interesting experiences with long and short term prisoners, and besides attending strictly to the duties of his position has been able to do much good among them, directly and indirectly.
In 1867 Mr. Schoeneman married Lucinda Eiler, daughter of Daniel Eiler, an early settler of North Manheim township, Schuylkill county, where her grandfather Eiler took up government land; he had three tracts where the borough of Schuylkill Haven is now located. Mr. and Mrs. Schoeneman had a family of six children, viz .: John, a carpenter, who is living in Pottsville ; Katie, who married John Nettlinger and (second) Henry Tritchler; Emma, Mrs. George John; William, a carpenter; Mary, who married Milton Noll; and Carrie, who married Clinton Lawbach.
Mr. Schoeneman is a member of Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, F. & A. M., of Pottsville; and of the I. O. O. F. He belongs to the German Lutheran Church. He does not support the principles of any one political party, voting independently. In January, 1865, a few months after his arrival in this country, he enlisted for the Union service during the Civil war, joining the 50th Pennsylvania Regiment, but was never called upon, the war closing shortly afterwards. The fact that he was not familiar with the English language kept him from enlisting sooner. His patriotism has never lessened during the fifty years which have elapsed since, and he has always been a good citizen.
ADAM J. BROWN, formerly deputy sheriff of Schuylkill county, Pa., was born in 1875 in Schuylkill Haven, where he now resides, and is a son of William H. Brown, grandson of Adam K. Brown and great-grandson of Adam Brown, all of whom lived in Schuylkill county. The family is of German origin and is well known and respected in upper Berks and lower Schuylkill counties.
Adam Brown, the great-grandfather, was born in Berks county, was an iron worker, and had a forge in Berks county for a time. Then he moved to Reading, but after his son Adam K. Brown bought a farm near Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, he lived there with him. He was killed in an acci- dent at the railroad crossing near Pine Grove, at the age of seventy years. Mr. Brown had five children: Isaac C .; Mary, married to Isaac Sell; Louisiana, who married Isaac Sotsin and (second) Andrew Reber; Sarah ; and Adam K.
Adam K. Brown was born in Berks county, Pa., and followed the occu- pation of boatman on the Schuylkill canal for about twenty years. He met his death near Bordentown, N. J., in the spring of 1859, being killed, it is supposed in an assault made upon him by two negroes. His body was brought to Schuylkill Haven and buried at Hetzel's Church, in Washington township. Adam K. Brown had purchased a farm near Pine Grove, upon which his father resided with him. Adam K. Brown was married to Rebecca, daughter of Simon and Sarah (Helm) Schropp and granddaughter of Jacob Helm, a native of Berks county who settled in Schuylkill county. Mrs. Brown died in 1898 and is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven.
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The children of Adam K. and Sarah (Helm) Brown were: William H .; John M., of Schuylkill Haven; and Adam K., also residing in that borough.
William H. Brown was born in Washington township, Schuylkill county, and for a number of years followed the occupation of farmer. Later he conducted "Brown's Hotel" at Schuylkill Haven for about five years, after which he had charge of the hospital at the almshouse near the borough for four years. He next purchased a small farm in North Manheim township and cultivated it for about seven years. He now resides at Orwigsburg. Mr. Brown was married to Eliza Werley, who was born in Lehigh county, daugh- ter of Jacob Werley, and died March 8, 1901; she is buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven. By this marriage there were four children : Adam J .; Lovinia, wife of Oscar Fidler, living in Schuylkill Haven; William R., living in the same place; and Mary E., who is unmarried.
Adam J. Brown attended the public schools of Schuylkill Haven and then became a clerk in the office of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, remaining in the employ of that company for a period of fifteen years. He then accepted a clerkship in the county jail at Pottsville, remained there for three years, and subsequently spent eight months in the soliciting of insurance. Having been appointed deputy under Sheriff Patrick J. Murphy, he served as such until Jan. 1, 1914.
Mr. Brown married Dora Weaver, daughter of Charles F. Weaver, of Cressona, Schuylkill county, and they have had one son, Russell C., who is attending school. Mr. Brown is a Democrat in politics and takes an active interest in the party, as well as in everything which is conducive to the wel- fare and prosperity of the borough and county. He is a member of the First Reformed Church, and treasurer of its Sunday school, and is also a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Schuylkill Haven.
DAVID JONES, now living retired at Mahanoy City, is an old-time miner and a veteran of the Civil war, well known and respected among his associates in all the walks of life. He is a native of Wales, born Dec. 16, 1841, at Llangynidr, in Breconshire, and passed his early life in that country. His parents were Thomas and Ann (Lewis) Jones, the latter dying in Wales. The father came to the United States in 1851. In his own country he had been a miner, and he sought employment of the same kind here, settling at New Mines, near Minersville, in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he found work. He continued to follow mining until his death, which occurred in 1864 at Mahanoy City, this county.
David Jones was ten years old when he came to America with his father, and soon afterward he commenced to work at the breaker, picking slate. As he acquired experience and gained in strength he was given more responsible work, and he advanced through the various grades until he became a full- fledged miner. In that capacity he continued to be engaged for about thirty years in all, until 1902, after which he did outside work at the mines for one year. He has since lived retired, spending his days in well earned leisure During the Civil war Mr. Jones served in the Union army under two enlist- ments. At Reading he joined the 53d Pennsylvania Regiment for three months, later enlisting in Company F, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he served two years. His army experiences included many hardships. He is one of the few veterans at Mahanoy City, and an honored officer of Severn Post, No. 110, G. A. R., of that place. His industrious life and consistent
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honesty have gained him the good will and esteem of all who have come in contact with him.
Mr. Jones married Mrs. Anna Jenkins, who died March 15, 1915, and is buried at Mahanoy City. They have four children: John Jenkins, who lives at Mahanoy City; Mary, wife of Joseph Hughes; Daniel Jenkins and Sarah Jenkins, both at home.
SOLOMON MAURER, who is living retired at Gordon, Schuylkill Co., Pa., after fifty years' service in the dangerous and responsible work of rail- road engineer, was born in Schuylkill county, May 12, 1842, son of George and Marie (Snyder) Maurer. Peter Maurer, the paternal grandfather of Solomon Maurer, was one of the pioneers of this county, and of German birth.
George Maurer was a farmer and lumberman and assisted in the work of clearing up this county to make way for the work of agriculture. He was married near Gordon to Marie, daughter of Henry Snyder, an early resident of the county, and their children were eight in number, viz .: Adaline, wife of John Arnold, of Schuylkill county; Mary, deceased wife of Thomas Myers; Lucy, deceased wife of Benjamin O. Reinard, of this county ; Louisa, residing in California, the wife of Moses Snyder; Sallie, deceased wife of Jacob Shultz, of Mount Carmel; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Daniel Fet- terolf, also deceased; Solomon, mentioned below; and Oscar, a resident of Harrisburg, Pa. The father died in 1880, and the mother is also deceased.
Solomon Maurer was educated in the schools of Gordon and worked on a farm during his childhood and youth. When a young man he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, and in time was promoted to the position of engineer, which he held continuously for fifty years, retiring in 1912, having been pensioned by the company. He then bought a farm near Gordon, and for the last four years has been residing upon it and superintending its cultivation. When the Civil war began Mr. Maurer enlisted in Company H, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the conflict, being mustered out in 1865 at Cloud's Mill, Va. He took part in the battles of Gettysburg, Cedar Creek, Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, and many other important engagements. At the close of the war he returned to this county and re-entered the employ of the railroad con- pany. Mr. Maurer was married on May 26, 1866, to Abbie Fetterolf, a native of northern Mahantongo township, Schuylkill county, and they have had these children: Amelia, Mary, Joseph, Emma, Elsie and Charles. Mr. Maurer and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church at Gordon. He was a member of the local G. A. R. post, and is still affiliated with the Im- proved Order of Red Men and the Junior Order United American Mechanics.
Joseph Fetterolf, father of Mrs. Maurer, was a farmer of Mahantongo township, where he died in 1880. His wife, Abbie Rice, was also a native of that township, and is deceased. To them were born twelve children, of whom Hettie, wife of Edward Bolich, of Gordon, is now deceased ; Joseph is deceased; Caroline, deceased, was the wife of George Hepler; Elizabeth, de- ceased, was the wife of Ephraim Conrad; Henry is a resident of George- town, Schuylkill county; Abbie is Mrs. Maurer; Daniel is residing at Barry Station, Schuylkill county; Amelia, deceased, was the wife of James Thomas : Alice is the wife of Rudolph Geist, a resident of Northumberland county ; Samuel lives at Darby, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Vol. II-32
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WILLIAM C. FLEMING, of Pottsville, has been engaged on the Penn- sylvania railroad, as track foreman in Schuylkill county, for the last thirty years, during which time he has made an enviable record for efficiency and intelligent attention to his duties. Mr. Fleming was born at Barnesville, this county, June 10, 1868, and is of Irish parentage, his father, Patrick Fleming, having been a native of Ireland.
Patrick Fleming came to this country when a youth of eighteen, and first located at Marietta, in Lancaster county, Pa., where he was a puddler at the old Marietta Furnace. His service there covered a period of about six years. He was next at Beaver Brook, Luzerne Co., Pa., in the employ of the Dodson Coal Company, as a foreman at the collieries, and continued with this con- cern for about seventeen years, after which he was with Coxe Brothers & Company, taking contracts for loading coal. He was so engaged for about nine years, at the end of which time he went to Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and turned to the trade he had learned in early life, that of stone- mason. There he resided until his death, which occurred in 1891. Mr. Flem- ing married Bridget Culhane, a native of Goldsboro, Berks Co., Pa., and she survives him, now making her home at Shenandoah, Schuylkill county. They had a large family, namely : Catherine, who died young; Patrick; William C .; John H .; Mary; Thomas; Michael; Edward, who was killed Oct. 2, 1910, by a blast at the William Penn colliery; Peter; and Kate.
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