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 87
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Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of North and South Dakota, with headquarters at Grand Forks, N. Dak.) ; and Mary Josephine, who is the wife of Christian Frantz, one of the foremen at the Home brewery, and has children, Anna M., Mary Catherine, Henry G. and John Eugene. All the family belong to the German Catholic Church of the Holy Family, and Mr. Grosskettler was a member of St. Michael's Society. In politics he was a Democrat.
John Grosskettler was educated at Shenandoah, in the parochial school of the Church of the Holy Family. He began work early, becoming a slate picker at the Shenandoah City colliery when but nine years old. At that time Marshall Baugh was the outside foreman there, and Joseph Whitehouse breaker foreman. Mr. Grosskettler was variously employed about the colliery until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he commenced doing inside work, under Frederick Carl, foreman. He also assisted in putting up machinery, and served in the repair gang. During the latter part of 1902 and the beginning of 1903, for a period of six months, he worked in the soft coal mines, at the Franklin slope in Cambria county, Pa., for the Cambria Iron Company. On his return thence to Shenandoah he entered the employ of the Home Brewing Company, first as a teamster, driving the coal wagon, and later delivering beer. Having familiarized himself with the business he was given other re- sponsibilities until promoted to the position of assistant brewmaster, which he is filling very acceptably at the present time.
On Nov. 28, 1907, Mr. Grosskettler was married, in the Holy Family Church, by Father Francis Holtgreve, to Catherine Elizabeth Schmidt, a native of Shenandoah, born April 28, 1883, daughter of Christian and Cather- ine (Bender) Schmidt. They have had four children, born as follows: Agnes Mary, Feb. 1, 1909; Gertrude Mary, Aug. 9, 1911; Mary Josephine, Aug. 25, 1913; and John William, Nov. 28, 1915. Mrs. Grosskettler was educated in the parochial school of the Holy Family Church at Shenandoah and the public schools of the borough, and remained at home until her marriage. She and her husband are devout members of the Holy Family Church, and she also belongs to the Rosary Society. Mr. Grosskettler is an active Republican, always taking a live interest in local and national affairs. His home is at No. 220 North West Street, Shenandoah.
WILLIAM H. ZIMMERMAN, of Shenandoah, proprietor of the finest meat market in that borough, is one of its leading business men and a substan- tial citizen in every respect. His activity in various local enterprises and prominent connection with social bodies is evidence of the interest he feels in the town of his adoption, and of the confidence his fellow men repose in him.
The Zimmermans are of German extraction, and the family was founded in Schuylkill county by Henry Zimmerman, grandfather of William H. Zim- merman. John Zimmerman, the great-grandfather, lived and died in Lebanon county, Pa., where he followed farming. His children were: Jacob, Kate, Margaret and Henry.
Henry Zimmerman was born in Lebanon county, where he spent his early life. When a young man he came to Schuylkill county, first locating in Pine Grove, where he worked by the day and in time became a carpenter. Later he removed to Tremont, this county, and still later to what was then known as Fox Valley, where the town of Branch Dale is now situated. He lived to be eighty-four years old, dying at the home of his eldest son, John, at Clouser's
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Mills, in Branch township, Schuylkill county. His wife, Julia (Stahr), daugh- ter of Peter Stahr, of Branch township, died at the age of seventy-one years, and they are buried in the Clouser's Church cemetery. They had a large family, viz .: John, who was a carpenter, died at Clouser's Mills; William died young; Elizabeth married Peter Rhoads, and both are deceased; Joseph H. is the father of William H. Zimmerman; Jacob died at Mount Carmel, Northumberland Co., Pa .; Susan married Aaron Yoder, and both died in Columbia county, Pa .; Henry is buried in the State of Illinois; Frank is a resident of Hyde Park, Scranton, Pa .; William H. lives in Arkansas; Charles is a resident of Fountain Springs, Schuylkill county.
Joseph H. Zimmerman, now living in retirement at Pottsville, spent sixty- three years of his life in mine work. Born April 18, 1835, at Branch Dale, Schuylkill county, he began picking slate when but seven and a half years old, at what is now Branch Dale, then called Muddy Branch. After two years at that work he was given other employment about the mines, acting as driving boy inside, loading coal, etc., until he reached the age of fourteen, when he began to cut coal, at Muddy Branch. He was actively engaged at the mines until seventy years old, for a number of years holding responsible positions at various collieries. For some time he was employed as a boss by Col. J. C. White; was assistant inside foreman; boss at the York Farm colliery, for the Lehigh Company ; and then a boss for the Albright Coal Company, at Silverton, for three years. His last work of the kind was at Eagle Hill, for the Phila- delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. After living in retirement for one year Mr. Zimmerman became gate watchman at the Schuylkill county alms- house, where he continued for fourteen months. Again he had a year's leisure, and then for three years was night watchman at the courthouse. His home is at No. 623 Fairview street, Pottsville, and he and his family are highly respected in that city.
Mr. Zimmerman is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in 1861 in Company K, 16th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, among the first ninety-days men. He received his discharge at Harrisburg July 24, 1861. Mr. Zimmerman was formerly a member of the G. A. R. post at Tremont, changing his membership to Mahanoy City. He has been a Republican since 1856, and in his earlier years took considerable interest in local public affairs, serving ten years as school director of Gilberton, and five years as tax collector in Reilly township. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church, and socially he belongs to Washington Camp No. 284, P. O. S. of A., of Gilberton, and to Social Lodge, No. 56, I. O. O. F., of Minersville.
On May 26, 1856, Mr. Zimmerman married Janetta McClay, daughter of Robert McClay, and eight children were born to this union, viz .: William H .; Joseph, who died in infancy; Robert J., of St. Clair, this county; Jacob, of Gilberton, this county; Jeanette, who married John Gorey; John, of Spring- field, Ill .; James, of St. Clair, this county ; and Mary, twin of James, who died young. The mother died Sept. 20, 1871, and is buried in Clouser's graveyard. On May 1, 1872, Mr. Zimmerman married (second) Mrs. Ellen (Finley) Stewart, whose father, Robert Finley, was a native of Ireland. She was first married Oct. 14, 1864, to John Stewart, who died Aug. 4, 1871. and by that marriage had three children: Eliza (Mrs. Charles Knoll). Robert and Ellen. To her union with Mr. Zimmerman have been born the following: Joseph, a resident of Shenandoah; Henry, of Schuylkill Haven; Franklin, of Potts-
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ville; Annie, who died young; Hugh, who died young; Charles, who died young ; and Alexander, who is living in Palo Alto, this county.
William H. Zimmerman was born April 14, 1857, at Branch Dale, and there received such education as the public schools afforded. In his boyhood he went to work as a slate picker at the Swatara colliery, and he continued to follow mine work until twenty years old, after which he learned the butcher's trade at Gilberton, this county, with Jacob Buehler. He worked at it for nine years before establishing himself in business, in 1887, in Shenandoah, where he has since continued, and in 1889 he purchased his present place of business, at No. 124 South Main street. His trade has been growing steadily, thanks to his persevering efforts and sincere endeavor to please his patrons, who have appreciated the unusual advantages afforded by his up-to-date establishment. Mr. Zimmerman's efforts have not been confined to the advancement of his own affairs, for he has willingly assisted a number of undertakings intended for the general welfare. At present he is a member of the Shenandoah school board, in which trust he is giving very satisfactory service. He is a director of the Merchants' National Bank of Shenandoah and of the Citizens' Savings Fund, and a member of the receiving committee of the latter. Socially he holds membership in the Sons of Veterans, the P. O. S. of A., the Royal Arcanum and the Masonic fraternity, and takes a keen interest in the prosperity of all their local organizations. He has been treasurer of his council of the Royal Arcanum for the last sixteen years. As a Mason he is connected with Shenan- doalı Lodge, No. 511, F. & A. M., and Williamsport Consistory, having attained the thirty-second degree.
Mr. Zimmerman married Clara Lorah, daughter of George Lorah, of Shenandoah, who was a miner. Two children have been born to this mar- riage : Emma, who died when twenty-two years old; and Millie, wife of Dr. W. C. Scott, a dentist of Lansford, Carbon Co., Pa. The family are members of the Reformed Church.
L. C. LYTLE, outside foreman at the Lytle colliery, in Cass township, Schuylkill county, post office Minersville, Pennsylvania.
SHERMAN H. REED, a former jury commissioner of Schuylkill county, and one of the most popular auctioneers of this section of Pennsylvania, is now residing at Cressona, this county, where he is cultivating a farm. He holds auction sales whenever called, in various localities. He is a lifelong resident of Schuylkill county, having been born Nov. 25, 1865. in Wayne township, coming of a family that has been established here for several generations.
John Reed, the first of the family to locate in this part of Pennsylvania, resided at Reedsville, Schuylkill county, and was one of the best known farmers of his section. He owned the tract of land now in the possession of Howard Mengle. He was twice married, his second wife's maiden name being Kimmel, and they are both buried at Reedsville, Pa. To his last marriage were born six children: George, William, Daniel K., Elias, Hannah (married Peter Reed), and Elizabeth (wife of William Fehr).
Daniel K. Reed, son of John, was born at Reedsville, Pa., and like his father followed farming. He was also an auctioneer, his services being in constant demand. After his marriage he removed to Wayne township, where he died upon his farm of eighty acres at the age of fifty-four years. He is buried in the cemetery at Friedensburg. He married Susan, daughter of Lud-
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wig Berger, of North Manheim township, and they became the parents of the following children: Lyman G., living at Friedensburg; Mendon, who died at that place; Elizabeth, married to Lewis Brown, ex-county commissioner of Schuylkill county, residing at Cressona; Arabella, married to William W. Berkheiser, and living in South Manheim township; Ida, who married Lewis Brown, of Washington township, both now deceased; Gordon D., residing at Schuylkill Haven; Sherman H .; and Annie, married to George Emerich.
Sherman H. Reed was educated in the schools of Wayne township and reared on the homestead farm. He was obliged to take up the cares of the family and the task of cultivating the farm owing to the death of his father when he was but sixteen years of age. He assisted his mother until her death, in 1890, when the property was sold and the proceeds divided among the heirs the following year. Mr. Reed located on the Luckenbill farm, one mile from Friedensburg, Schuylkill county, which he operated for five years. He then moved, Dec. 16, 1895, to a farm near Cressona, where he carried on agriculture and butchering, as well as holding auction sales wherever called by patrons. This farm was sold to W. D. Maurey in the course of ten years, and in March, 1906, Mr. Reed went to Cressona. In the fall of 1907 he purchased the W. H. Markle farm of fifty-four acres, in the borough of Cressona, which he has since so greatly improved as to make it one of the most valuable farms in this part of the county.
On Nov. 26, 1885, Mr. Reed was married to Ida Fullman, daughter of Henry and Esther (Davis) Fullman, of Pottsville, and to this union were born six children: Daniel K., now an inspector in the Rutherford shops at Harrisburg, Pa .; Hattie, married to Oscar Moyer, living in the Panther valley, near Cressona ; Lottie, married to Howard Kulp and living at home; Esther, at home ; and Ada A. and Sherman, Jr., attending school. Socially Mr. Reed has been a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge of Friedensburg since 1907; of the Independent Order of Americans for the past twenty years ; and he is a charter member of Camp No. 264, P. O. S. of A., at Friedensburg, which was organized thirty-three years ago. He is one of the best known auctioneers in Schuylkill county, having been making sales for thirty-two years. In political affiliation he is a Republican, and was elected jury commissioner from Wayne township in 1900, with a majority in this Democratic stronghold of 1,500 votes. In 1903 he was reelected with a large majority, being the only Republican chosen that year to a county office. In 1908 he was a candidate for the office of county commissioner, but withdrew in order to give precedence to a friend. Mr. Reed has also served upon the election board of Wayne township, and in 1910 was elected a member of the school board of Cressona, which office he filled with great credit. In religious affiliation he is a Lutheran, being a member of the church at Friedensburg, and he takes a personal interest, in. its welfare, as well as that of his fellow members and townsmen. Through his many activities Mr. Reed is probably one of the best known as well as most popular men in Schuylkill county.
PETER JAMES MONAGHAN, who is engaged in the fire insurance business at Shenandoah, Pa., was born Nov. 12, 1873, at the corner of Chestnut and Lloyd streets, Shenandoah, son of Michael and Bridget (Monaghan) Monaghan.
John Monaghan, the grandfather of Peter J. Monaghan, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, close to the coast, and from boyhood followed the sea for his
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livelihood. He was a fisherman and through thrift and industry became very prosperous, owning a number of fishing sloops, but he was overtaken by a number of financial reverses and lost his entire property. On a return trip from England, where he had delivered a boatload of fish, a squall came up, wrecked his vessel, and took as its toll a number of the hardy fishermen, in- cluding Mr. Monaghan's father and two of his brothers. He was married in his native county, and after the death of his wife there, with his two children, Micliael and Bridget, emigrated to America and settled at Minersville, Pa. There he secured employment as a miner, an occupation at which he worked also at Ashland, just before the outbreak of the Civil war. Several years later he removed to Shenandoah, and there passed away at the age of sixty-seven years, having retired some time before. His daughter, Bridget, became the
wife of Patrick Eagen, deceased, who was a miner of Girardville, Pa., where Mrs. Eagen now resides. Her children are: John, a fireman of Shamokin, Pa .; William, who is a fire boss near Girardville; Michael, yardmaster for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Camden, N. J .; Margaret, who is the wife of Thomas Cauffield, a motorman for the Schuylkill Traction Company, at Girardville, and has four children; and Barbara, who is the wife of a railroad man at Camden, N. J., and has one child. John Monaghan was a stanch Demo- crat. He was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church of the Annun- ciation at Shenandoah, and was buried in the Annunciation cemetery.
Michael Monaghan, the father of Peter J. Monaghan, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1837, and was eleven years of age when brought by his father to the United States. His first occupation was as a slate picker, at Minersville, for which employment he was paid $1.25 per week. As his board cost him $1.75 per week, he was obliged to work extra at picking coal early in the morning and late in the evenings, so that it may be seen that his days were full ones and he had little leisure either to play or to secure educational ad- vantages. When grown to manhood, with steady employment at a man's wages as a miner, Mr. Monaghan married at Minersville, about the year 1860. Later he removed to Ashland, Pa., where he sank a slope, and also engaged in driving gangways, tunnels, etc. About forty-five years ago he came to Shenandoah and followed mining, subsequently driving a tunnel at the Kohi- noor colliery, sinking a slope at Miller's colliery, and driving a tunnel at Grant's colliery. At the latter place Mr. Grant, while standing with a business associate, Mr. Gibbs, was killed by the fall of the top of the tunnel. Mr. Monaghan followed mining and mine work until 1888, when he became boss for the old water company, in which he was also a stockholder. He was over- seer for the company for two years, and was also engaged for a time in the retail liquor business, but finally retired, and lived quietly until his death, which occurred Jan. 23, 1894. He married Bridget Monaghan, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and was eleven weeks old when brought by her parents to this country. She was a daughter of Bryan Monaghan, a retired miner, who died at Shenandoah. Mr. and Mrs. Monaghan became the parents of the following children : Michael, Bridget and John, who died in childhood at Ashland; another died there in infancy; Annie, Michael, John, Bernard and Anthony, who died in childhood at Shenandoah; Peter James; and Anthony, who married Veronica Kusick and lives on East Lloyd street, Shenandoah. Michael Monaghan was a Democrat and served as supervisor of Shenandoah. He was a member of the W. B. A., miners' association, and was treasurer of four local unions at the time of his demise. He belonged to St. Patrick's
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Society, was a devout member of the Church of the Annunciation, Roman Catholic, and was buried in the Annunciation cemetery, as was also Mrs. Mona- ghan, who died Dec. 20, 1907, aged sixty-three years.
Peter James Monaghan was educated in the graded and high schools of Shenandoah, following which he took a classical course in Georgetown Uni- versity, at Washington, D. C., where he was a student for one and a half years. At the end of that period, because of his father's illness, he was obliged to give up his college course, but later he took a term in the Peirce business col- lege, from which he was duly graduated. After his father's death Mr. Mona- ghan went into the saloon business, at the corner of Lloyd and Chestnut streets, but mine excavation work ruined his building, and he finally sold out and moved to Chestnut and Centre streets. There he remained until 1895, in the same business, and then sold out and went to Chamberlain, S. D., where he spent two and a half years on the range between Missouri and the Black Hills. Returning to Shenandoah, in 1902 he entered the fire insurance busi- ness, in which he is still interested, being the representative of twenty-one companies at this time.
Mr. Monaghan is a member of the Midnight Sons, a dramatic organization, the membership of which includes the best talent in the borough of Shenandoah. This company has given some really fine performances at the O'Hara theater, the proceeds from which have always been devoted to the Annunciation Church charities, Mr. Monaghan being a member of that church. He belongs to the Sacred Heart Society and to the newly-organized Holy Name Society, which already has more than nine hundred members. Politically he is a Democrat. His fraternal connections include membership in Shenandoah Lodge, No. 945, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Shenandoah Aerie, No. 103, Fra- ternal Order of Eagles; and Division No. 2, Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is treasurer of his aerie in the Eagles. In fire insurance circles, Mr. Monaghan is one of the best known men in this part of the State. He is treasurer of the Fire Underwriters' Association of the Middle Department ; is a member of the Phoenix Fire Company, of which he was marshal for nine years; was chief of the Shenandoah fire department for three terms; is a member of the State Firemen's Association and of its publicity committee, and is a member of the Six County Firemen's Association, holding the office of chairman of the auditing committee. He has always been one of Shenandoah's most enthusiastic boosters, and at this time is a member of the Devitt Club, the object of which is the promotion of home industries and interests.
Mr. Monaghan was married April 12, 1912, to Agnes Cardin, who was born July 4, 1892, daughter of John J. and Bridget (Toole) Cardin, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of County Mayo, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Monaghan are the parents of two children : Anna, born March 29, 1913; and Joseph, born .Feb. 22, 1914. Mrs. Monaghan was born at Shenandoah, and here attended the public schools. She studied music under Professor Wilde and mastered one of the most difficult of musical instruments, the violin, on which she is a finished performer. She is a member of the Sodality, of the Sacred Heart Society and of the Church of the Annunciation.
Thomas Cardin, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Monaghan, was born in County Mayo, Ireland. He was a man of large physique, and ran a jaunting car. He was a faithful Catholic, and was buried in the parish of Lackin, County Mayo. His son, Patrick Cardin, the grandfather of Mrs. Monaghan, was married in his native County Mayo and was a farmer in Ireland. He
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came to the United States on a sailing vessel, and settled at Muddy Branch, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he worked around the mines as an outside laborer. Later he removed to Shenandoah, bought a property on West Lloyd street, and there passed the rest of his life in retirement. He was a Democrat in politics, and his religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic Church. He married Margaret McDonald, also born in County Mayo, Ireland, who died in her seventieth year, and both are buried at Pittston, Luzerne county. They were the parents of the following children: Mary, who married (first) Bar- tholomew Haley and ( second ) John Martin, and now lives at Pittston; John J .; a son who died in infancy ; and Patrick, who met his death in the West Pittston disaster, in 1871.
John J. Cardin was born at Muddy Branch, Schuylkill Co., Pa., July 15, 1852, and there received a public school education. He was eleven years of age when he came to Shenandoah, and here his first work was as a slate picker. Later he became a miner and worked at the following collieries: Indian Ridge, Shenandoah City and Kohinoor. After following mining for many years Mr. Cardin turned his attention to other affairs and contributed his services to the city in various positions of responsibility and trust. He was elected a member of the council for two years, and was then elected city clerk for five consecutive terms. In the meantime he had received election to the office of justice of the peace, filling both offices, and was then again elected councilman. He still holds the office of justice of the peace, to which he has been elected three terms, missing a fourth term by but two votes. He is a Democrat, as are all his sons. Fraternally he is affiliated with Shenandoah Aerie, No. 103, Fra- ternal Order of Eagles, of which he is secretary. He is also secretary of the Shenandoah Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he was the organizer in1 1903, and is a member of the old St. Patrick's Society. His religious con- nection is with the Church of the Annunciation, Roman Catholic.
Mr. Cardin was married at Shenandoah to Bridget Toole, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and was four or five years of age when she came to the United States. She is a daughter of Patrick Toole, who brought his family to this country and settled at Primrose, near Minersville, Pa. On the journey to America one of his daughters died, and was buried at sea. John J. and Bridget Cardin have had children as follows: Mary, who married Thomas Purcell, a machinist in the Lehigh Valley railroad shops at Delano, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and has one child, John; Katie, who married Harry McIntyre, a clerk of Philadelphia ; Miss Sadie, who is engaged in teaching school at Shenan- doah ; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Nellie, who resides with her parents; Bessie, who is a manicure of Atlantic City, N. J .; Agnes, who is now Mrs. Monaghan ; Margaret, who died in infancy; Patrick, who was a barber of Philadelphia, and died at the age of thirty-two years; Jolin, who is employed at the Home Brewery, Shenandoah; and Charles, an employe of the well known sporting goods firm of A. J. Reach, Philadelphia.
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