F Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 48 thru 56 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck. Tar2@psu.edu USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals And libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. HON. CHARLES HEBER DICKERMAN, of Milton, president of the First National Bank, and ex-Congressman from the Sixteenth Congressional district, is one of the citizens to whom this borough proudly refers as representative of its best interests. As member for many years of the firm of Murray, Dougal & Co. Limited, which had one of the large industrial plants at that point, he was instrumental in bringing to the borough an amount of business which materially increased its prosperity. As a public-spirited citizen he has been at the front in most movements calculated to increase Milton's attractiveness. His business interests, though centered at Milton for many years, have not been confined to that place. His business and political connections have made him well known all over the state, and beyond its limits. Though a native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Dickerman belongs to an old New England family, tracing his ancestry in America back to the early Colonial days, when in 1635 Thomas Dickerman came from England and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts. John Dickerman, of the sixth generation of the Dickerman family in this country, and the grand-father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Vermont March 17, 1764. At the age of sixteen he enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, in which he served about nine months. During the latter part of his service he was employed as a scout. In 1789 he married Thankful Smith, a native of Granby, Mass., daughter of Seth and Thankful Smith, of that place, the former of whom served as a colonel in the Revolution. Mr. Dickerman moved to New Haven, Conn., when a young man, and there learned blacksmithing. About 1800 he removed with his family to Guilford, Chenango Co., N. Y., where he followed his trade, also engaging in farming. Later he removed to Otsego county, N. Y., where he died Nov. 6, 1848. His wife died at the same place Oct. 7, 1856. Clark Dickerman, father of Charles Heber Dickerman, seventh in the family of John and Thankful (Smith) Dickerman, was born June 12,1803, in Guilford, Chenango Co., N. Y. He received there an academic education, and afterwards took a medical course in Jefferson College, Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Dickerman was twice married, his first union being with Eliza Knapp, whom he married in November, 1829, and who died Nov. 9, 1830. He was married Oct. 14, 1833, at Gibson, Susquehanna Co., Pa., to Sarah Adelia Chandler, who was born July 30, 1815, daughter of James Chandler, a member of the Chandler family of Vermont and Michigan. He settled in Harford, Susquehanna Co., Pa., where he engaged in the active practice of his profession until his death, which occurred there Aug. 5, 1853. To his second marriage were born six children James Bedell and Eugene Durand, both deceased; Eliza Knapp, who married Ralph H. Eaton; Charles Heber; Payson Kingsbury; and Mary Louisa, who married Clement R. Woodin. Charles Heber Dickerman was born Feb. 3, 1843, in Harford, Susquehanna Co., Pa., and there received his early education in the public schools. He supplemented this with a course at Harvard University, being graduated from that institution in 1860. For several years afterwards he was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Susquehanna and Luzerne counties. In 1862 he was registered as a law student in the office of Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, at Binghamton, N. Y., but in 1863 he abandoned the law and accepted a position with Carter & Son, coal operators at Beaver Meadows, Carbon Co., Pa. In 1868 he removed to Bethlehem, Pa., and engaged in the coal commission business. In 1869 he became interested in the Chapman Slate Company, Chapman Quarries, Northampton Co., Pa., miners and manufacturers of roofing slate and other slate products, was elected secretary of that company, and in 1870 was chosen general manager. In 1880 he became associated with S. W. Murray in the manufacture of freight cars, and removed to Milton, where he has since resided. The firm of Murray, Dougal & Co. Limited, with which Mr. Dickerman was associated, engaged extensively in the building of railroad freight cars, and Mr. Dickerman continued his active connection with the establishment until the entire plant was sold, in 1899, to the American Car & Foundry Company, the present owners. The firm of Murray, Dougal & Co. Limited gave employment to several hundred men, and was an important factor in the industrial welfare of the community. Mr. Dickerman has been interested in numerous financial institutions. He was for many years a director of the Second National Bank of Mauch Chunk, Pa., of the Lehigh Valley National Bank, of Bethlehem, Pa., of the Sunbury Trust & Safe Deposit Company, Sunbury, Pa.; and of the First National Bank of Milton, Pa., of which latter he became president in 1897, and is still serving in that capacity. He has always been an unswerving, uncompromising Democrat, and a fearless, outspoken advocate of Democratic principles. He served for three years as chairman of the county committee of Northumberland county. In 1891 he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional convention to form a new constitution for this State, and was a delegate to the National convention in 1892. In November, 1902, he was elected a member of Congress, representing the Sixteenth Congressional district, served as a member of the Fifty-eighth Congress, and declined a renomination and reelection, preferring private life. In 1905 he was appointed by President Roosevelt delegate to the Peace congress which met at Brussels, Belgium, on Aug. 14th of that year. END OF PAGE 48 Mr. Dickerman was married March 10, 1869, at Beaver Meadows, Carbon Co., Pa., to Joy Ivy, daughter of William and Margaret Carter, natives of Cornwall, England, where Mrs. Dickerman was born. Four children were the fruits of this union: Adelia Margaret (Mrs. Howard H. Williams, Plainfield N. J.), William Carter (vice president of the American Car & Foundry Company, No. 165 Broadway, New York City), Grace Beatrice (Mrs. Guido C. Vogel, Milwaukee, Wis.) and Joy Chandler (Mrs. G. W. B. Fletcher, Philadelphia, Pa.). The family are attendants of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Dickerman is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Lawyers Club, of New York City. DUNKELBERGER, a name well represented in Northumberland county, originated, according to tradition, from Dunkel Berg, a spur of the Black Forest. Little is known of the Dunkelbergers before the time of the Reformation. During that period they espoused the cause of the Reformers, and their descendants to the present day have continued to adhere to Protestant denominations. Up to the time of their emigration to the New World they were industrious and patriotic citizens of what is now the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, in lower Germany, but being deprived there of their religious liberty they turned to America, coming hither in 1728 by way of the Rheinfeld, down the Rhine to Holland, whence they sailed in the English ship "Morehouse," landing at Philadelphia Aug. 28, 1728. They proceeded at once to what is now Berks county, Pa., locating in Windsor township, a little southeast of what is now the borough of Hamburg. They were frequently molested by the Indians. These emigrants were Clement, Daniel and John Dunkelberger. Clement who was the ancestor of the others (the name of his son Daniel, however, does not appear in his will), at once paid taxes to the English Crown. "Clementz Doncleberger" is on the first list of taxables of Windsor township (1754). He paid £6 tax in 1759. At the time of his death, in 1782, his home was in Windsor township. His will, made Feb. 12, 1776, was probated April 8, 1782, and is on record in Will Book B, page 38. At the time the will was made his wife Anna Maria was still living. Their children were (no record of Daniel): Clemens, who obtained the plantation; Catherine, married to Andrew Winiger; Mrs. John Beck; John; Frederick; Christopher; Elizabeth, married to Michael Deck; Philip; Sevila; Magdalena; and Dorotha. John Dunkelberger, grandson of Clement, was born in Windsor township, near Hamburg, in 1740. He married there and had two sons by that marriage, in 1780 (at which time he was a widower) moving with his son George to the northern part of the Mahanoy Valley, in Northumberland county - that part of Mahanoy now embraced in Little Mahanoy township. He received from the State, a warrant for more than two hundred acres of land, located north of Line Mountain and between that and Mahanoy creek. The Indians were his neighbors, and were friendly to him, but during the terrible Indian disturbances his family on several occasions had to flee for safety. There he built a stone grist mill and stone dwelling house. In 1814 he is credited with a grist and saw mill on Mahanoy creek which mill is said to have been the first in that section. He built the mill several years after locating in that district. On the John Dunkelberger homestead still stands a large stone house, 45 by 35 feet in dimensions, and two and a half stories high, which was built in 1818, the year in which this pioneer died. Large, well-selected stones were used in its construction and the wall is exceptionally strong. After settling here John Dunkelberger married again and had two sons by his, second wife, Solomon and Jonathan, from whom most of the Dunkelbergers arc descended. These pioneers are buried on their own farm on an elevation below a piece of pine woods, about fifty feet northeast from a public road. Their graves are marked by marble tombstones, inscribed as follows: "Hier ruhet Johanes Dunkelberger Gabo. den 28 Sept. 1745 Storb den 27 Novem 1818 Alt 73 yahr 2 mo 1 Tag Text I Buch Moses 48 Capitd 21 V" "Hier ruhen die gebine von Elizabeth Dunkelberger war Eine geborne Kahwel war geboren den 20ten Marz, 1761, und starb den 3ten September, 1827 Ist alt worden 66 Yahr 5 monot und 12 tag. Text Heob. 17, Capitel den 11, ver. 5" Early members of the Dunkelberger family (probably sons of John Sr. and of Frederick) were David, Joseph, Samuel, Solomon, John and Daniel (who was lame). The following Dunkelbergers were mentioned in the first assessment list of Little Mahanoy township in 1814: John, Frederick, Christopher, Christopher, Jr., and Philip. Christopher Dunkelberger, who died in Little Mahanoy township in 1835, made his last will and testament (on record at Sunbury courthouse) Feb. 12, 1834, and it was probated March 2, 1835. He made ample provision for his "beloved" wife Catharine. Items of the will: She shall have two cows, two beds and their beddings, privilege of the house, and of one horse to ride when she END OF PAGE 49 wants to go abroad. Their children: Abraham (received the homestead, cattle, sheep and swine), Susanna, Catharine, Ester, Salomey, Elizabeth, Henry, Daniel, Magdelina, John, Peter, Hannah. In a private graveyard in Little Mahanoy township, on a farm formerly owned by Frederick Dunkelberger (now owned by Galen Raker), is a tombstone bearing the inscription "Hier ruhet Friederich Dunkelberger gebo. 1747, storb d. 24, Jener 1815 alt. 67 y. 9 mo." His wife, Catharina, nee Hauer (in), is buried at Little Mahanoy church, where may be found record of her birth and death, Oct. 18, 1749, and Jan. 17, 1831, respectively. Her will is on record in Will Book III, page 83; executor, Leonard Reed. On a farm in Little Mahanoy, on Little Mahanoy creek, formerly owned by Christophel Dunkelberger (now owned by Jacob Dreibelbis), is tombstone with the following inscription: "Hier ruhet Christofel Dunkelberger worde geboren den 27 Hornung, 1773, und Storb den 29 Jenner 1827 Ward alt 53 yahr 11 mo nat 2 Tag" There is another stone with the inscription: "Hier Rhuet ein Sohn von David Dunkelberger b. 1831, d. infancy." Eve Eister, the wife of Christophel Dunkelberger, is buried at the Little Mahanoy Church; she was born July 8, 1780, and died Nov. 30, 1830. George Dunkelberger, eldest son of the John Dunkelberger who came into Northumberland county in 1780, settled in the Mahantango Valley in Mahanoy (now Lower Mahanoy) township, about 1802, being one of the early pioneers in that region. He attended the Reading markets from there. Shortly before his removal he was married (in 1800) and he had four sons, Jacob, Samuel (who lived in Little Mahanoy) Daniel, (who died July 18, 1865; his wife, Catharine, nee Wagner, born Aug. 29, 1816, died July 6, 1863) and John. George Dunkelberger died in August, 1837. His will, on record at Sunbury, Pa., in Will Book III, page 282, provided by item for his wife Elizabeth as follows: She shall have a cow, spinning-wheel, 9 bushels rye, 3 bushels wheat, 24 pounds beef, 25 pounds pork, iron pot, one pan, one bucket, kitchen utensils, etc. The will speaks of four children, but only three are mentioned, as follows: Samuel, and Daniel shall have homestead: John shall have certain tract of land of my old farm, etc. The executor was John Mowrer. George Dunkelberger lived in Upper Mahanoy township, and had land at Mahanoy which the Saibals had before him. Of George's children, Jacob, the eldest, born in 1802, in 1850 moved to Hegins township, Schuylkill county, where he had bought a large farm and gristmill near the present town of Hegins. There he died in 1874, and was buried in the Evangelical cemetery. He had married in 1828 Catharine Maurer, and they had eight children, Moses, William, Emanuel, Caroline, Lena, Hannah, Mary and Salome. Of these, Moses, born in Mahantango in 1829, married in 1853 in the locality mentioned, Elizabeth Bensinger, and they are both living at present at their homestead in the town of Hegins. Their children are: R. B. Dunkelberger, a prominent business man of Reading, Pa.; Mary Jane, wife of John H. Schrope, a prosperous farmer of Hegins township; and James H. Dunkelberger, living on the homestead farm with his two sons, Harry and Ray. John Dunkelberger, son of George, was born in the Mahantango Valley Sept. 16, 1806, and he died March 23, 1892, aged eighty-five years, six months and seven days. He was a farmer and lived in Rockefeller township, near the Shamokin township line. His farm consisted of 212 acres, upon which he built two barns, rebuilt the present house, rebuilt the sawmill and erected all the other buildings now standing. This farm is now owned by John Erdman. John Dunkelberger was a short stout man and was known as "Der dick John," or "Sawmiller John." He married Lydia, daughter of Daniel Beisel, born April 14, 1811, and died Nov. 30, 1890, aged seventy-nine years, seven months and sixteen days. John and Lydia Dunkelberger are buried at Dunkelberger's graveyard, at what was formerly known as the "White Church," in Rockefeller. They were the last members of this church. John Dunkelberger gave the ground for this church and graveyard, and was one of its foremost members. They had fifteen children, all deceased, save two, Jeremiah, of Holt Co., Mo.; and Jesiah. JESIAH DUNKELBERGER, son of John, is a citizen of Rockefeller township. Born Jan. 16, 1849, on his father's homestead, he was reared there, and here, spent his entire life. He worked for his parents until he was twenty-one, then for three years farmed the homestead for a quarter share of his father's stock. After that he began with his own stock for one-half interest, which he did for three more years. He then labored one year when he purchased a farm of nearly forty acres in Lower Augusta, living there one year. In 1877 he purchased his present farm of sixty-eight acres in Rockefeller township and built the present barn. He markets his produce at Shamokin. Jesiah Dunkelberger was married in December, 1872, to Susan Raker, daughter of Solomon and END OF PAGE 50 Elizabeth (Dornsife) Raker, of Rockefeller township. Their children were six in number, viz.: Irwin G., who married Ella Conrad, and lives at Kutztown, Pa., Edwin G., Daisy and John who died young; S. Pearl, who married Harry Moyer, of Trevorton, Pa.; and Jesse E., who married Emma Riland, lives at home an has a son Harry J. Mr. Dunkelbergers a Republican, and served as supervisor for three years. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Church at Seven Points, where the United Evangelical Church is now located. Mrs. Dunkelberger was the granddaughter of Jacob Raker, who lived in Lower Augusta township. He was the father of William, George, Jacob, Solomon, Lovina (Mrs. George Long). John (Johannes) Dunkelberger, known as "Little Johnny" (brother of George), the other son of John by his first marriage, was born in Northumberland county, Sept. 11, 1775. He died May 17, 1835, and was buried in Howerter cemetery in Upper Mahanoy township. He was a farmer and like his brother George settled in Mahantango Valley, in Mahanoy (now Lower Mahanoy) township, Northumberland county. He married Susanna Zimmerman, born in April, 1785, who died Jan. 19, 1860, and their children were: Daniel (settled in Mahantango Valley), Catharine (married a Mr. Knerr), George, John, Joseph, Magdaline, Susanna, (married Abraham Howerter), Solomon and Elizabeth (married _____ Klock). George, John and Joseph are more fully mentioned below. Solomon, born in 1821, died in 1892, at Shamokin. He followed the tailor's trade. He married Elizabeth Wagner, born Feb. 17, 1823, died April 6, 1861, and they had five children, William, Jeremiah, Edmond, Ellen and Franklin. John Dunkelberger, the father, died May 17, 1835, in territory now embraced in Lower Mahanoy township. He had a tract of twenty-four acres of land when he died. His will, made May 5, 1835 (on record in Will Book III, page 200), was probated June 12, 1835. It was witnessed by George Haas and H. F. Heintzman, and he names "my friends" Pete Fetterolf and John Maurer, Sr., as executors. George Dunkelberger, son of John, was a well known farmer at Seven Points, in what is now Rockefeller township, where he lived and died. He married Kate Rebuck, and they had children as follows: George, Jonathan, Henry, Tobias, Susan, Kate, Harriet, Mary and Elizabeth. JONATHAN DUNKELBERGER, son of George, was born July 1, 1843, at Seven Points, and died Aug. 21, 1901, at his home in Shamokin, being the first of his family to pass away. His youthful days were spent upon the home farm, where he not only learned agricultural work but also the butcher's trade, following it successfully; he was in business as a butcher at Taylorsville and Locust Dale, Pa., and at the latter place was also in the general store business for a time. On June 12, 1893, he moved to Shamokin, and from that time lived retired, occupying his home at No. 536 North Second street during the winter season and in the summers moving with his family to a farm at Seven Points which he had purchased. Mr. Dunkelberger was a man of upright life and high ideals, and for years was a prominent church worker, belonging to the United Evangelical Church, where he taught a class of young men in the Sunday- school. For one period of three years he missed but one Sunday at Sunday-school. He was a great Bible student and well versed in the Scriptures. Mr. Dunkelberger married Susanna K. Kehler, and they had one daughter, Jennie, the deceased wife of Charles Geist, a young business man of Shamokin. Mr. And Mrs. Geist have one son, Paul Jonathan. Mrs. Dunkelberger still lives at he old home on Second Street. She is a granddaughter of John Kehler, who lived and died in the Mahantango Valley, as did also her father, John Kehler. The latter was a farmer. He married Kate Knerr, and to them were born the following children: Elias, Joseph, Frank, Joel, John, Benjamin, Charles, Catharine (married Joseph Dreibelbis), Harriet (married Jacob Hepler) and Susanna (married Jonathan Dunkelberger), all now deceased but Mrs. Hepler and Mrs. Dunkelberger. John Dunkelberger son of John and brother of George and Joseph, was born in Mahantango Valley, in Upper Mahanoy township, and died in Shamokin township. He is buried at Dunkelberger's Evangelical Church, in Rockefeller township. He and another John Dunkelberger, with Henry Keiser and George Dunkelberger, built the "Dunkelberger Evangelical Church," in Rockefeller township. There is a graveyard, and there rest the founders of this house of worship. John Dunkelberger was a carpenter earlier in life, but later became a farmer, owning a 223-acre farm in Shamokin township. The old goat-skin deed of this land is still in the possession of Mr. William L. Dunkelberger, who is his son. This farm is now owned by Julius Behrent. Mr. Dunkelberger was an active member of his church and class leader and exhorter of the Evangelical Church which was named after his family. He was a slim, tall man. His wife was Christiana Geist, who died in her ninetieth year, her birth occurring Dec. 21, 1818, and her death May 18, 1901. They were the parents of nine children: (1) Lucinda married Elias Bingaman. (2) Lanah married William Klase. (3) Gabriel was born in 1841 and died in 1864. (4) Solomon married Lorinda Miller. (5) Simon married Mary Yordy. (6) John married Louisa Neidig. (7) Mariah married Cyrus Buffington. (8) Josiah, who is a END OF PAGE 51 bachelor, is blind. He makes his home with his brother William L. (9) William L. is mentioned below. WILLIAM L. DUNKELBERGER, son of John, resides at Seven Points, in Rockefeller township. He was born Aug. 20, 1858, in Shamokin township, where all his brothers and sisters were born. Reared on the farm he received his educational training in the local schools, and, when eighteen years of age entered his apprenticeship in the carpenter's trade, serving three years, at Shamokin. He then farmed for two years, at County Line, for Elias Bingaman, went back to carpentering again for a short time, bought a 65-acre tract in Irish Valley and followed farming in connection with his carpenter work. He was thus occupied for sixteen years when he sold his tract and went to Rockefeller township, where he has an excellent tract of seventy acres at Seven Points. William L. Dunkelberger was married three times, his first wife being a widow, Mrs. Catharine Underkoffler, and there were no children born to this marriage. He married (second) Viola Swank and they had two children, Versa, who married Bert German; and Roy, who married Bessie V. Reitz, and they live at Sunbury, where he follows the trade of baker. William L. Dunkelberger married (third) Almeritta Witmer, and their children are: Calvin, Howard, Ralph, Katie, Myrtle and Esther. Mr. Dunkelberger is active in the Dunkelberger Family Association, which holds annual reunions, the reunion of 1910 being held at Carsonia Park, Reading, Pa. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as treasurer of Shamokin township for the school board, as a school director, and at one time was a delegate to the County Convention. He is active in the P.O.S. of A. at Seven Points, and frequently serves it as delegate. He is a member of the Evangelical Church at Seven Points, was class leader and exhorter for years and at present serves as superintendent of the Sunday-school and is very active in all church interests. ROY O. DUNKELBERGER, who has been engaged in the bakery business at Sunbury, Northumberland county, since June, 1908, was born Nov. 19, 1887, in Irish Valley, Shamokin township, this county, son of William L. Dunkelberger and his second wife, Viola Swank. He obtained his education at the Swenk public school, in Irish Valley, meantime assisting with the farm work at home until he reached the age of fifteen years. At that time he went to Trevorton, where he worked in the coal mines about two years, and for the next three years he was engaged in threshing. In October, 1907, he came to Sunbury, where he worked for the Adams Express Company for a year and a half on June 1, 1908, purchasing the stock, fixtures and good-will of F. A. Jacobs, in the bakery at No. 23 Packer street. He has continued the business with such success that it has been necessary to enlarge the establishment, and he keeps three helpers and two teams busy, selling about six hundred loaves of bread daily, besides a large variety of other bakery goods. He now owns his place of business and residence and has his affairs in prosperous condition, his thrifty management having brought excellent results. Mr. Dunkelberger is connected with several insurance companies in Sunbury. He is a respected young business man of the borough, and has attained a substantial position through his own efforts. On May 27, 1908, Mr. Dunkelberger married Bessie V. Reitz, daughter of U. P. Reitz, of Seven Points, this county. They worship at the First United Evangelical Church of Sunbury. Joseph Dunkelberger, son of John, and brother of George and John, was born in the Lower Mahanoy Valley and died there at the age of eighty-four years, eleven months; he is buried at Union Church in Upper Mahantango Valley. He followed farming and also did carpenter work. His wife was Rachel Federolf and their children were: Elias, born Sept. 24, 1844, who died Oct. 2, 1870, in Schuylkill county, and is buried at the Little Mahanoy Church; Henry, who is living retired in the Mahantango Valley, who owned the old homestead for several years; Esther, who married William Kerstetter; Isaac, deceased; Lucetta, who died young; Mary, who married David Mowery; Joseph, deceased; Simon F,; Hannah, who died young; Susanna, who died young; and a son that died in infancy. SIMON F. DUNKELBERGER, son of Joseph, was born April 20, 1855, in the Mahantango Valley, in Schuylkill county, and lived upon the farm until he reached the age of twenty two years. In 1877 he came to Shamokin and took up the plastering trade, which he has since continued to follow, having engaged in the business as a contractor on his own account in 1887. He now employs from five to twelve men, according to the work he has in hand, and he has plastered many dwellings in the borough in his day. His work is high class, and he deserves the large share of the local patronage which comes to him. On July 21, 1878, Mr. Dunkelberger married Helena Wetzel, daughter of Daniel and Kate (Kehler) Wetzel, and five children have been born to them, namely: Estella, married to Harry Renn; Walter, a traveling salesman, now of Williamsport, Pa., married Anna Willauer; Joseph, of Philadelphia; Mabel, who graduated from the Shamokin high school with the class of 1911; and Goldie, at school. The family reside at No. 630 West Penn street, Shamokin. Mr. Dunkelberger has long been an active member of the United Evangelical Church, in which he has held the responsible positions of class-leader and trustee for twenty years. END OF PAGE 52 About 1780 another branch of the family at Hamburg moved to Perry county, Pa., and some of these later moved to near Niagara Falls, N. Y. One descendant of this branch was a delegate to the Republican National Convention held in Philadelphia, when McKinley was nominated for President the second time. Another branch moved to Oley township, near Reading, and at the present time quite a number live in the city of Reading. In language the Dunkelbergers are mostly Pennsylvania German. As the early members of the family, who suffered severely during the Thirty Years' war, showed their love for right and liberty by their active participation in that struggle, so the descendants in this country have shown their loyalty and patriotism by supporting our struggles in the cause of Independence. Some took part in the Revolutionary war, and quite a number were in the Civil war on the Union side. Some were killed in battle, and some were wounded, notable among the latter number being Capt. Isaac R. Dunkelberger (son of Solomon Dunkelberger and grandson of John D. Dunkelberger), of the 1st Pennsylvania Infantry, who enlisted April 20, 1861, and served during the war, was twice wounded, promoted for bravery, and continued in the army until placed on the retired list by the Government in 1901 as captain of cavalry, U. S. A. He resides at present in California. In the direct line of William S. Dunkelberger and Luther L. Dunkelberger, both of Shamokin, Northumberland county, Henry Dunkelberger (grandfather of the former and great-grandfather of the latter) was born May 4, 1791. He was an early resident of Shamokin, where he had his home for some time, but later moved West, dying in June, 1875, in Starke county, Md., where he is buried. He was twice married, and by his second wife, Leah, born Dec. 5, 1799, had children born as follows: Elizabeth, Oct. 29, 1823; Daniel, Sept 24, 1826; Hannah, Nov. 5, 1828; Benjamin, Nov. 2, 1834; Joel, June 14, 1836; George W., May 9, 1840; Matilda, Jan. 1, 1843. John Dunkelberger, only child of Henry by his first marriage, was born June 8, 1816, on Scotch Hill, at Shamokin, in Little Mahanoy township, Northumberland county, in a little log cabin which is still standing. His mother dying when he was a child, he lived with his grandparents in Mahantango until he was thirteen, at which age he returned to his native place, spending the remainder of his days there. His association with its business and political interests made him one of the best known citizens of the place, useful, progressive, respected and active to the close of his long life. His early days were spent upon the farm. He was engaged upon the building of the Pennsylvania railroad between Shamokin and Sunbury, worked in the mines, and later carried on the coal mining business in partnership with Reuben and William Fagely, continuing in this line for some time, but finally disposing of his interest therein to Withington Lake. The firm name was changed to John Dunkelberger & Co., who engaged in the mercantile business, and after his withdrawal from this line Mr. Dunkelberger became associated with the Shamokin Water Company, on June 5, 1876, succeeding Daniel Zuern as superintendent. He continued to hold that position, also acting as secretary of the company, until April, 1886, proving competent as well as faithful in the discharge of his important duties. Having an intimate knowledge of the affairs of the company, his valuable services were highly appreciated, but he resigned at the time named because he felt that it was due to himself to withdraw from active affairs. His resignation was accepted with regret by the board of directors. However, he did not give up all responsibility, as he was app Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 96 thru 109 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck. Tar2@psu.edu USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. GEORGE W. PARMLEY, deceased, for many years successfully engaged as a florist and merchant at Shamokin, was of English blood but American birth He was born at Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, in 1858, son of Samuel and Matilda (Ellis) Parmley. Samuel Parmley was born in England, and came to America with his first wife. After a short time in New York his wife died, leaving two children, Henry (since deceased) and Elizabeth (who married Dallas Van Horn). Mr. Parmley married (second) Matilda Ellis, and to this union were born: Charles S.; George W.; Thomas J., of Carlisle, Pa.; and Mary E., deceased wife of Llewellyn James. Mr. Parmley after his second marriage settled at Tamaqua, in Schuylkill county, where he engaged in a mercantile business and prospered. George W. Parmley came to Shamokin in 1884, and was first engaged in a milling business with Andrew Robertson. Later he became a florist, and acquired a wide reputation by his success in that line. He also carried on a china store, located at Independence and Orange streets, one of the best locations in the city, and was so engaged until his death. Mr. Parmley married Minnie F. Douty, daughter of William H. Douty, and to this union were born: George W., Jr.; Samuel C.; J. Hillmer; and Dorothy L. Mrs. Parmley resides in her comfortable home at No. 126 Church street. DOUTY. Mrs. Parmley is a member of a family that was active in pioneer days in Pennsylvania. JOHN BLUNDIN DOUTY, her grandfather, was a prominent man in the coal regions. He was born near Lambertville, N. J., May 30, 1812, son of William and Mary (Blundin) Douty, who came to Rush township, Northumberland county, about 1822. Four years later they removed to Pottsville, where the father became the owner of five boats on the Schuylkill canal, John B. being placed in charge of one of them. He worked as a boatman until 1842, when he became interested in the coal trade at the East Delaware mines. After a few years there he went to the West Delaware mines where he operated until the failure of the company in 1851 caused the loss of all he had accumulated. In 1852 he came to Shamokin and began mining in a small way at the Gap, as a member of the firm of Kase, Douty & Reed. This venture met with little success, and in 1856, with others, under the name of Bird, Douty & John, he leased the Big Mountain colliery, which in the END OF PAGE 96 end proved successful. In 1859 he withdrew from the firm to take charge of the Henry Clay colliery, and he acquired a handsome fortune. He opened and operated the Brady colliery for a few years, and in 1873 began working the Ben Franklin colliery, at which he was engaged for the remainder of his life. He died Nov. 15, 1874, in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. On May 22, 1836, he married Lavinia Jones, daughter of William and Catharine Jones, of Reading. They had one son, William H. Mr. Douty was a man of decided views, and was very tenacious of his opinion. He had a kind heart, and was ever generous to those less fortunate than himself. WILLIAM H. Douty, son of John B., was born at Pottsville, Pa., in 1836, and died in October, 1896, in Philadelphia, where he was buried. He assisted his father in the management of his coal mines at Shamokin and Doutyville. He was sole manager of the Ben Franklin colliery at Doutyville, one of the largest mine workings in the anthracite field, and with John Gabel became the owner of the Garfield mine. He was one of the chief movers in suppressing the terrible crimes of that desperate band of men known as the "Mollie Maguires," who infested the coal region in the early seventies. He had other business relations, however, being engaged in the dry goods and grocery business on Sunbury street, his place being known as the "Brown Stone Front," and was very successful in his undertakings. In 1893 he went to Philadelphia, where he lived in retirement until his death He married Dorothea M. Stroup, daughter of William and Sarah (Christ) Stroup. Their children were: Phoebe, wife of Philip Goodwill, of Bramwell, Mercer Co., W. Va.; Minnie F., widow of George W. Parmley; John, of Cumberland, Md.; and Sallie, who lives with her sister Mrs. Goodwill. Mr. Douty was burgess of Shamokin in 1873, an office in which his father's brother, R. B. Douty, had been the first incumbent in 1864-65. He was the first president and director of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Shamokin, which was incorporated Nov. 29, 1882. Mr. Douty was one of the prominent citizens of Shamokin appointed as a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws for the Board of Trade, Jan. 24, 1887, and he became the first president of that important organization. The first attempt at fixing up the streets of Shamokin was made by Mr. Douty and Dr. R. S. Hollenback, both going to Harrisburg to appeal to the Legislature for a loan of money from the State for that purpose, as the taxes at that early time were insufficient for any improvements of this kind. Mr. Douty and his family were Presbyterians. JOHN H. BECK, of Rockefeller township has long been considered one of the most progressive farmers of his section of Northumberland county. He was born Aug. 30, 1850, in Frailey township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and belongs to a family which has been settled in Pennsylvania since Provincial times, being a descendant of John Martin Beck, who was born in Europe in the year 1724, and died Sept. 29, 1785. His wife, Catharine, was born May 1, 1726, and died Oct. 19, 1804. Among their children were sons Daniel, John and Jacob. A Catharine Beck, born June 27, 1766, who died July 2, 1846, was probably a daughter of John Martin and Catharine Beck, who were the grand-parents of Gottlieben Hoeckly. John H. Beck, the grandfather of John H. Beck, was a grandson of John Martin Beck, the immigrant ancestor. He was born Feb. 11, 1786, in Northampton county, Pa., and settled in Lykens valley, in Dauphin county, where he followed farming throughout his active years. He died June 20, 1855, aged sixty-nine years, four months, nine days, and is buried at Uniontown, Dauphin Co., Pa. He gave considerable land to the cemetery. He married Susan Greenswicht, of Northampton county, and to them were born the following children: Daniel; John and David, twins; Jonathan; George; John Jacob; Polly, Mrs. Benneville Ossman; Harriet Mrs. Wolf (she and her husband moved to Ohio); Susanna, Mrs. Heater; and Christianna, Mrs. Charles Drumm. John Jacob Beck, son of John H., was born June 24, 1820, and died May 15, 1883. He is buried at the Wolfs Cross Road Church. For a number of years he was a coal miner, living in Audenried, Pa., for several years, and for three years at Hazleton. After his marriage he moved to Lower Augusta (now Rockefeller) township, Northumberland county, where he bought from David Shipe the farm of eighty acres upon which he made his home to the close of his life. He carried on general farming, in which he prospered so well that he was able to buy more land, adding materially to his original acreage. He was a Republican in politics and a Lutheran in religion. In the spring of 1848 he married Elizabeth Shadel, who was born in Schuylkill county Aug. 24, 1822, daughter of David Shadel, a native of Northumberland county, who married Polly Hoffey, of Lykens valley, Dauphin county. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shadel: Elizabeth, Henry, Caroline, Sarah, Catharine, and Eve. Mr. Shadel passed most of his life in the Lykens valley, and was a hat manufacturer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Beck had three children: John H.; David, who died when seven years old; and Louisa, who married W. B. Eister, Esq., a merchant and postmaster at Seven Points, this county. John H. Beck was reared and educated in Rockefeller township, where he has passed all his life. He was reared to farm work and eventually bought the old homestead, to which he has added END OF PAGE 97 until he now has a tract of 260 acres, where he carries on general farming. He has raised considerable stock, and for many years was engaged in the dairy business, running a milk team daily to Sunbury. He kept as many as thirty-two cows, which were cared for in the most approved hygienic fashion, his barn being a model modern establishment, supplied with running water and various other facilities for keeping it cleanly and attractive. He has also made a number of improvements in his residence, which is supplied with running water and is a comfortable home, kept up with the same care which characterizes all Mr. Beck's possessions. He has shown excellent business ability in every branch of his work, which has thriven under his management until he is justly regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of his section. He has interested himself in the local welfare, taking part in such movements as affect the entire community, and has been particularly active in local educational matters, having served six years as school director, as supervisor, to which office he was appointed by the court and from 1903 to 1906 as county commissioner; he was secretary of the board three years. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Beck's hobby has been music, and he is a fine performer on the B-flat cornet which he has played as member of the Seven Points band; he has also played the tenor horn with that organization. Socially he is a member and past master of Lodge No. 414, F. & A.M., of Elysburg, and a member of Camp No. 139, P.O.S. of A., of Seven Points. He and his wife belong to the Lutheran Church. On Jan. 2, 1868, Mr. Beck married Abbie R. Zostman, of Lower Augusta township, daughters of Daniel and Esther (Raker) Zostman, both of that township, whose children were: Sarah Ann, one that died in infancy, Alexander, Harriet, William, Mary Jane, Rebecca, Catharine, Abbie, one that died in infancy, Daniel and Esther. For his second wife Mr. Zostman married Susanna Conrad, of Lower Augusta. He was a tanner by trade, and died in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Beck have had a large family, namely: William Edward who died April 21, 1872; David Albert, born May 6, 1871, a dairyman in the Irish valley, in Shamokin township, who married Alberta Dunkelberger; Mary Alice, born Aug. 26, 1872, wife of Harvey E. Miller, a butcher, of Sunbury; Daniel J., born Dec. 13, 1873, a farmer of Rockefeller township, who married Emma J. Maurer and had children, Laura V. and Lloyd E.; George W., born June 18, 1875; Harry Luther, born July 18, 1877, who married Susanna Dunkelberger and lives in Shamokin township; John Norman, born June 26, 1881; Susan Elizabeth, born Oct. 12, 1883, who married Theodore P. Bennett of Columbia county; Franklin W., born Jan. 20, 1886; Abbie M., born Sept. 30, 1888; Kate F., born May 30, 1890; Esther N., born Sept. 13, 1892; and Orville E., born July 23, 1895. Among the family traditions preserved by the Becks are stories of the trouble these pioneers had with the Indians during the early days in Northampton county. It is said that they suffered from several attacks of the savages, from whom they were in such danger that they had a place of refuge constructed under the floor of their house, where they would secrete themselves when the outlook was threatening. NELSON MILLER, late of Rockefeller township, was one of the leading farmers of his section for a number of years. He was born there June 14, 1860, on the homestead of his father, Solomon Miller, who at the time of his death was the oldest citizen of Rockefeller township; and grandson of David Miller. The Miller family has long been established in Pennsylvania. George Miller, commonly called "Hunter George," emigrated from Germany some time during the eighteenth century. He settled near Hamburg, in Berks county, Pa., and had several children, of whom nothing is known at present except such history as has been preserved concerning the son John. John Miller, born in 1759, settled in Shamokin township, Northumberland county, prior to 1785. He owned about thirteen hundred acres of land situated upon the Centre pike, and built his log house upon the south side of the road opposite where George W. Miller, his great-grandson, now resides. In 1785 he married Catharine Reber, who was born Sept. 26, 1769, and to them were born two sons and two daughters: George; David; Elizabeth, who was twice married, first to a Mr. Rockefeller and second to a Mr. Wilbour; and Sarah, Mrs. Miller. Before his death, which occurred in 1804, when he was forty-five years old, George Miller divided his property between his sons, David obtaining the land on the south side of the valley and George that on the north side. His wife, who survived him many years, died Aug. 19, 1845, at the age of seventy-six years. John and Elizabeth Miller are interred in the old Baptist burial ground near Deiblers station, in Shamokin township. Solomon Miller, father of Nelson Miller, was born in August, 1826, in Shamokin township, this county, and thence moved to Rockefeller township, where he lived for sixty years. For many years he was one of the most prominent residents of his section. A prosperous farmer, he acquired the ownership of several of the finest farms in the township, and had a long active career, retaining his physical vigor until well advanced in years. He continued to work until five years before his death, when he sustained an injury which made it necessary for him to relinquish some of his activ- END OF PAGE 98 ities. He died July 11, 1909, when almost eighty-three, and was the oldest citizen of the township at that time. His death was caused by paralysis. Mr. Miller's home was seven miles from Sunbury, here his remains were taken for interment, in Pomfret Manor cemetery. The community felt as in his death it had lost one of its most valuable citizens. He had not only managed his own affairs well but had been intimately associated with the best interests of his section, encouraging and supporting everything that would advance the prosperity of the township, and those in financial distress found a true friend in him. Mr. Miller had been married three times, his first wife being Adaline Kline, who died three or four years after their marriage. To this union was born one daughter, Theresa, now the widow of Prof. Ira Shipman and living in Sunbury. By his second wife, Catharine (Long), daughter of Daniel Long, there were two sons, Nelson and Jefferson, the latter now in Texas, where he holds a responsible position in the oil fields. Nelson Miller received his education in the public schools and was reared to farming, which he followed all his life. From the time he was twelve years old he had charge of his father's teams. In 1910 the homestead farm of his father came into his possession, one of the finest farm properties in Rockefeller township and under an excellent state of cultivation. The farm on which he died, and where his widow and family live, contains considerably over one hundred acres, and in addition Mr. Miller owned two adjoining farms. He died Nov. 14, 1910, suddenly, succumbing to a stroke of paralysis from which he suffered the day before. Fifty years of age, and possessing abundant vitality and splendid physique, he was taken away when the best part of his life was apparently before him. He is buried at the Stone Church at Augustaville. The family are Lutherans. At the time of his death Mr. Miller was serving as supervisor of his township, and he had been a member of its school board. He was a man who possessed the confidence of his fellow citizens, and proved himself worthy of it in the discharge of the duties of his public trusts. On May 13, 1883, Mr. Miller married Tillie C. Klase, daughter of Francis and Rebecca (Shaffer) Klase, who lived at Stonington, Pa., and seven children were born to them: Dora E.; Carl W., now farming one of the tracts belonging to his father's estate, who married Stella Bartholomew and has one child, Arline; Arthur E.; Frank S.; Ralph M.; Mary T., who died in childhood; and Grace R. PETER W. SCHLEIG, justice of the peace and retired merchant, of Gowen City, in Cameron township, is one of the best known citizens of his section of Northumberland county, where he has been identified with business and public affairs for a long period. He was born in Cameron township April 28, 1845, son of Daniel and Catharine (Weary) Schleig, and comes of a family of German origin. Adam Schleig, his great-grandfather, came to this country from Germany, and served his adopted land in the Revolutionary war. He afterward settled upon the land now owned by Brinton Hartline, in Cameron township, Northumberland Co., Pa., and died at the age of seventy years. His son Adam, who was born about 1774, inherited that property and passed his entire life there. He taught German in the local schools. He died in Cameron township about 1819, at the age of forty- five years. To him and his wife, Catharine (Derck), were born six children: Daniel; Michael; Martin; Elizabeth; Sarah, Mrs. John Derr; and Catharine, Mrs. Philip Kerstetter. Elizabeth, who lived in Cameron township, was the last survivor of the family. Daniel Schleig, eldest son of Adam, was born Aug. 8, 1812, at the old homestead, and died in 1872, at the age of sixty years. He learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed in connection with farming, and was quite a prominent man in his day in the locality, holding minor township offices and being an active worker in the Reformed Church, which he served as elder and deacon. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Catharine Weary, who survived him, continuing to make her home in Cameron township until her death, in 1897, at the age of seventy-one years. They were the parents of six children: Peter W., Joseph, Michael, Hannah (wife of Daniel Knarr), Salome (wife of Henry Sortman), and Martin, all now deceased except Peter W. and Hannah. Peter W. Schleig was reared upon the old homestead place, which his father inherited and occupied. He received his education in the public schools of Cameron township, and when a boy of thirteen commenced work in the mines, where he was employed for sixteen years, filling various positions. In 1874 he established himself in the mercantile business at Gowen City, which he continued for over thirty-five years, retiring June 22, 1910, since when the store has been carried on by his son Andrew H. Schleig. Mr. Schleig, however, has by no means retired from active participation in business or matters of general interest. In 1909, in partnership with his son Andrew and Elias Gonser, he established a telephone company for local service which has proved a boon to the community, both as a progressive measure and for the convenience it has afforded many residents of the locality. It is known as the Gowen City branch of the Bell phone, and has been a highly successful enterprise. There are few men in this section who have been END OF PAGE 99 more prominently identified with the administration of local public affairs. Mr. Schleig has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the cause of free education, and as such was repeatedly elected to membership on the school board, his willing services meeting with the highest approval of his fellow citizens. He has also served his township as treasurer, auditor, assessor (five years) and justice of the peace, to which office he was first elected in 1876, and in which he has served contiguously since. He has been a lifelong Democrat, and one of the leading members of the party in his township. In every relation of life he has won the respect of all associated with him. Socially he holds membership in Gowen City Lodge, I.O.O.F., and Rebekah Lodge No. 75 of Gowen City, Shamokin Lodge, F. & A.M., and Gowen City Camp, P.O.S. of A. In religion he is a member of the Reformed Church, and has served six years as deacon. Mr. Schleig's first wife, Annetta Haupt, daughter of Benjamin Haupt, died at the age of forty-six years. By this union there was one son, Andrew H., who was born March 28, 1864, received a public school education, and at an early age entered the employ of his father, with whom he has ever since been associated in business. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster at Gowen City and he has held the office ever since. He has served the township as auditor and tax collector, and served as county auditor two terms. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been an active citizen in many ways, leading a busy and useful life. He is a member of Gowen City Lodge, I.O.O.F., and of the encampment, and a member of Shamokin Lodge, F. & A.M. He married Mary Henninger, daughter of Nathan Henninger, of Cameron township, and they have had two children, Charles and Goldie. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew H. Schleig are members of the Lutheran Church. For his second wife Peter W. Schleig married Mrs. Lillie A. (Yoder) May, daughter of Enos D. Yoder and widow of Harry May, by whom she had two children, Joseph G. and Enos D. Her father was born in the Mahanoy Valley and moved thence to Shamokin, where he engaged in the jewelry business; he married Susanna Drumheller. Mr. and Mrs. Peter W. Schleig have had these children: Rolland L., Goldie L. and Annie S. all living. Socially Mrs. Schleig holds membership in Rebekah Lodge No. 75 of Gowen City the ladies auxiliary of the I.O.O.F., and she is a member of the Reformed Church. LAFAYETTE SECHLER, now a resident of the borough of Riverside, was until recently a farmer in Gearhart township, in which section his family has resided for several generations. Mr. Sechler was born in l860 at Bradys Bend, Armstrong Co., Pa., son of Alem Marr Sechler and he is a grandson of Jacob Sechler and great grandson of John Sechler. John Sechler was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. In 1775 he purchased from the Penns some five hundred acres of land in what is now Danville, and built a house not far from where the State hospital now stands, in which house, in 1790, his son Jacob was born, the first male child born within the present limits of Danville. The old Mahoning burying ground was taken from his land. History informs us that there were four brothers of the Sechler family who settled in or around Danville. One of these was Rudolf Sechler, born in 1772, who married Susanna Douty. He was a blacksmith by trade, but later became register and recorder of Columbia county, Pa., and in 1821 he was appointed justice of the peace, which office he held until 1845, resigning on account of his age. He died in 1857, at the age of eighty-five. He was the father of six children, of only one of whom, at this writing, we have any definite knowledge, this being H. B. D. Sechler, who was born Jan. 26, 1808. In his early life he became a painter, following that business all his active life. In 1830 he married Jane Jamison, of Mifflin county, Pa., who died in 1831; in 1835 he married (second) Sarah Gearhart, daughter of John Gearhart, and a member of the Gearhart family so prominent in this section, and they were the parents of Harriet (Mrs. John Watters) and Emma, (Mrs. John Yorgy). Jacob Sechler, son of John, born in 1790, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Barbara Reese, and they were the parents of a large family, of whom we have the following record: (1) Abram, born in Danville April 13, 1814, was twice married, the first time, in 1835, to Lavina, daughter of Asa Pancoast. She died in 1864, the mother of five children, of whom are mentioned Mary Alice (Mrs. Henry Schick), Sarah Jane (Mrs. John Kerwin) and W. W. (of Philadelphia, Pa.). In 1869 Abram Sechler married (second) Harriet Wertman, daughter of John Wertman, and to this union was born one child, Martha (Mrs. Charles Robinson). (2) Samuel, born in Danville, married Martha Morgan, and they were the parents of Jacob, Hannah (Mrs. Ends), Dallas, Isaac, John and Mrs. Newberry (of Sunbury, Pa.). (3) Jacob married Susan Harris and they were the parents of the following children: Harris, Charles, Anna, Ida and Jay, all of whom live in the West, their father having moved to that section many years ago, settling in Wisconsin, where he founded the town still known as Sechlerville. (4) Mary, Mrs. Coxey, had children, Jacob Sechler, Martha and Elizabeth, all of whom live in Ohio. (5) Alem Marr is mentioned below. (6) Frank R., born March 22, 1826, in Mahoning township, Montour county, END OF PAGE 100 married in 1850 Abigail Best, and they have children, Barbara (Mrs. Kinney) and Clarke (of Philadelphia, Pa.). (7) James moved out to St. Louis, Mo. (8) Lafayette, born in Danville, married Rosanna McBride, and they had four children, Margaret (Mrs. Jeremiah Faust), Anna wife of Rev. J. H. Mortimer), William A. (who married Mary Williams and has one son, Jay) and Ida M. Alem Marr Sechler was born in 1824 in Danville, Montour Co., Pa., and died in 1903. He was by trade a straightener of iron rails, for railroads, and straightened the first rail made in the iron mills at Danville. In 1854 he purchased a farm in Gearhart township, Northumberland county lying along what is known as Kipp's run, it being a part of the tract settled by the Doutys and later owned by the Kipps. Mr. Sechler married Emily Love, daughter of Stephen Fairchild and Mahala (Nelson) Love, and they had three children, Lafayette, Kate and Gardner Little (who died in fancy); the daughter married Charles W. Blakeslee, a teacher in the High school at Long Branch, N J, and they became the parents of three children, Marrion and two sons who are deceased. Lafayette Sechler was reared on the farm, mean-time receiving his education in the common schools of his home township and at Williamsport, Pa. After attaining his majority he continued farming, on his own account, and upon the death of his father he purchased the old homestead in Gearhart township, which he carried on until 1909. At that time he moved to his present home in the borough of Riverside, and he has since rented his farm, which comprises 156 acres of excellent river bottom land. Mr. Sechler has been enterprising in his business, and has made a success of his undertakings, but he has also found time to take part in various matters of interest to the community generally, and he has filled different township offices, having several times held that of school director. He is a Mason, holding membership in Lodge No. 516, F. & A.M., of Danville, of which he is a past master. On Oct. 9, 1884, Mr. Sechler married Clarissa Smith, daughter of Dr. Samuel S. and Sarah (Reed) Smith, and they have two children.: Blanche is the wife of P. M. Irey, and lives in Lewisburg, Pa., where Mr. Irey owns and conducts what was formerly the Marsh shoe store; Paul is in his senior year at the Danville high school. The family are members of the Baptist Church, though Mr. Sechler is a Methodist in religious connection. JOSEPH F. CUMMINGS, of Sunbury, former chief burgess, an influential and honored citizen of that borough, whose career has made him one of its most respected residents, has had long and intimate connection with public affairs in Pennsylvania in his capacity of court reporter, a profession he has followed for a period of thirty-five years. His work has not only taken him into the courts of a number of counties in this State, but also into the State Legislative bodies. He was the first official stenographer appointed in the counties of Union, Snyder, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry after the act authorizing their appointment in 1874 was passed. Mr. Cummings was born March 13, 1853, at McEwensville, Northumberland county, son of Alexander Cummings and grandson of James Cummings, who was a son of John Cummings, the first ancestor of this family in America. John Cummings landed at Newcastle, whence he proceeded to Philadelphia and from there to Sunbury, Northumberland county. He located in Sunbury at an early day, having been a member of the town council in 1797. He is known to have been possessed of some means upon his arrival in the borough. Of Scotch-Irish extraction, he was a Presbyterian in religious faith, and he left the reputation of having been a man of exceedingly kindly disposition. He is buried at Middle Creek, Snyder Co., Pa. His children were: John, James; Nancy, who married a Mr. Spence; Elizabeth, who married John Cummings, and died at the age of eighty years; and Nancy (the second of that name in the family), who married James Russell and lived at Danville, Pa. John Cummings, husband of Elizabeth, was the first sheriff of Lycoming county, Pa., served as associate judge and was known as "Judge" Cummings, and in 1816 was master of the Masonic lodge at Williamsport, where they resided. He was the owner of a farm on which part of Newberry is located. James Cummings, son of John, was born July 11, 1794, and died June 26, 1836. For some time he was a merchant at Washingtonville, Montour Co., Pa., where he was residing at the time of his death, winning an excellent reputation as a business man. He was public-spirited and took an active interest in the affairs of his time, held the rank of major in the State militia, and was a member of Lodge No. 22, F. & A.M., at Sunbury, to which his father also belonged. On Nov. 6, 1817, he married Fannie Billmeyer, who was born in 1788, near Washingtonville, now in Montour county, daughter of Andrew and Fannie Billmeyer, and died April 16, 1835. Mr. and Mrs. James Cummings are buried in the Billmeyer private graveyard, six miles east of Milton, along the Chillisquaque creek. Their children were born as follows: Andrew, Sept. 11, 1818; Alexander, April 3, 1819; Christiana, June 18, 1822; Fannie, March 16, 1826; Nancy, Sept. 11, 1829. Alexander Cummings was born at Washingtonville, Montour Co., Pa. He became engaged in the hotel business at Mifflinburg, Union Co., Pa., END OF PAGE 101 where he was burned out in 1857, his place of business being completely destroyed, and he himself so badly injured in the disaster that he died six months later, in the same year. His wife, Mary E. (Morgan), whom he married Feb. 26, 1846, still survives at the age of eighty-six, making her home with her daughter at Mexico, Montour county. She is a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummings were born six children: James H. (who was killed at the Billmeyer sawmill, at the age of nine years, while seated on a sawlog), Robert M., John J., Joseph F., Annie F. and Robert A. Mrs. Mary E. (Morgan) Cummings was born Nov. 4, 1824, one mile east of the Chillisquaque Church, daughter of Robert and Anne (Auten) Morgan. The latter was the daughter of John Auten, who was a large land owner and miller conducting as well a sawmill on the Chillisquaque creek, having been among the first settlers along the said creek to utilize its waters for business purposes. His farms are now own loyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 123 thru 142 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck. Tar2@psu.edu USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. DUNKELBERGER. The Dunkelberger family is an old settled and numerously represented family of Northumberland county, and allied by marriage with many other of the foremost families of this region. The name itself, according to tradition, originated from Dunkel Berg, a spur of the Black Forest, in Germany. Little is known of the Dunkelbergers before the time of the Reformation. During that period they espoused the cause of the Reformers, and their descendants to the present day have continued to adhere to Protestant denominations. Up to the time of their emigration to the New World they were industrious and patriotic citizens of what is now the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, in lower Germany, but being deprived there of their religious liberty they turned to America, coming hither in 1728 by way of the Rheinfels, down the Rhine to Holland, whence they sailed in the English ship "Morehouse" landing at Philadelphia Aug. 28, 1728. They proceeded at once to what is now Berks county, Pa., locating in Windsor township, a little southeast, of what is now the borough of Hamburg. They were frequently molested by the Indians. These emigrants were Clement, Daniel and John Dunkelberger. Clement, who was the ancestor of the others (the name of his son Daniel, however, does not appear in his will), at once paid taxes to the English Crown. "Clementz Doncleberger" is on the first list of taxables of Windsor township (1754). He paid six pounds tax in 1754. At the time of his death, in 1782, his home was in Windsor township. His will, made Feb. 12, 1776, was probated April 8, 1782, and is on record in Will Book B, page 38. At the time the will was made his wife Anna Maria was still living. Their children were (no record of Daniel) Clemens, who obtained the plantation; Catharine, married to Andrew Winiger; Mrs. John Beck; John; Frederick; Christopher; Elizabeth, married to Michael Deck; Philip; Sevila; Magdalena, and Dorotha. John Dunkelberger, grandson of Clement, was born in Windsor township, near Hamburg, in 1740. He married there and had two sons by that marriage, in 1780 (at which time he was a widower) moving with his son George to the northern part of the Mahanoy Valley, in Northumberland county - that part of Mahanoy now embraced in Little Mahanoy township. He received from the State a warrant for more than two hundred acres of land, located north of Line Mountain and between that and Mahanoy creek. The Indians were his neighbors and were friendly to him, but during the terrible Indian disturbances his family on several occasions had to flee for safety. There he built a stone gristmill and stone dwelling house. In 1814 he is credited with a grist and saw mill on Mahanoy creek, which mill is said to have been the first in that section. He built the mill several years after locating in that district. On the John Dunkelberger homestead still stands a large stone house, 45 by 35 feet in dimensions, and two and a half stories high, which was built in 1818, the year in which this pioneer died. Large, well-selected stones were used in its construction and the wall is exceptionally strong. After settling here John Dunkelberger married again and had two sons by his second wife, Solomon and Jonathan, from whom most of the Dunkelbergers are descended. These pioneers are buried on their own farm, on an elevation below a piece of pine woods, about fifty feet northeast from a public road. Their graves are marked by marble tombstones, inscribed as follows: Hier ruhet Johanes Dunkelberger Gabo. den 28 Sept. 1745 Stort den 27 Novem 1818 Alt 73 yahr 2 mo 1 Tag Text I Buch Moses 48 Capitel 21 V. Hier ruhen die gebine von Elizabeth Dunkelberger war Eine geborne Kahwel war geboren den 20ten Marz, 1761, und starb den 3ten September, 1827 ist alt warden 66 Yahr 5 monot und 12 tag. Ten Heob. 7, Capitel den 11, ver. 5. END OF PAGE 123 John (Johannes) Dunkelberger, known as "Little Johnny, one of the sons of John by his first marriage, was born in Berks county Sept. 14, 1775. He died May 17, 1835, and was buried in the Howerter cemetery in Upper Mahanoy township. He was a farmer and like his brother George settled in Mahantango Valley, in Mahanoy (now Lower Mahanoy) township, Northumberland county. He married Susanna Zimmerman, born in April, 1785, who died Jan. 19, 1860, and their children were: Daniel (settled in Mahantango Valley), Catharine (Mrs. Knerr), George, John, Joseph, Magdaline, Susanna (married Abraham Howerter), Solomon and Elizabeth (Mrs. Klock), George is fully mentioned below. John, who married Christiana Geist, is fully mentioned elsewhere in this work. Joseph, who married Rachel Federolf, is also mentioned at length elsewhere. Solomon, born in 1821, died in 1892, at Shamokin. He followed the tailor's trade. He married Elizabeth Wagner, born Feb. 17, 1823, died April 6, 1861, and they had five children, William, Jeremiah, Edmond, Ellen and Franklin. John Dunkelberger, the father, died May 17, 1835, in territory now embraced in Lower Mahanoy township. He had a tract of twenty-four acres of land when he died. His will, made May 5, 1835, on record in Will Book III, page 200, was probated June 12 1835. It was witnessed by George Haas and H. F Heintzleman, and he names "my friends" Peter Fetterolf and John Maurer, Sr., as executors. George Dunkelberger, son of John. was born March 10, 1810, in the Mahantango Valley, and was a lifelong farmer. Moving to what was then Shamokin (now Rockefeller) township, he settled near Seven Points, where he bought a farm of 160 acres on which he spent the remainder of his life, dying there Jan. 6, 1884. He is buried at Seven Points. His wife, Catharine Rebuck, daughter of John, was born in 1810 and died Oct. 1, 1895. They had children as follows: Susan, who is in Oklahoma; Jonathan, deceased; George, living in Michigan; Catharine, of Sunbury; Elizabeth, of Shamokin; Tobias; Mary, living at Sunbury; Henry W.; and Harriet, living in Sunbury. TOBIAS DUNKELBERGER, son of George, is a well known farmer of Shamokin township, where he was born, near Seven Points, Dec. 4, 1851. He attended the local schools and remained with his father until he reached the age of nineteen years, after which he was associated with his brother Jonathan for five years, engaged in butchering. He then spent two years upon the homestead again, after which he went to Shamokin and entered the milk business, in which he continued four years. He then bought the old Wilkinson homestead of seventy-six acres in Shamokin township, to which he added until he now has two hundred acres in the one tract, as well as another farm of 145 acres in the same township. In addition to general farming he makes a specialty of dairying. Mr. Dunkelberger is a progressive man and has taken considerable interest and part in various affairs affecting the welfare of the community, was postmaster at Yordy for about five years, until the office was discontinued upon the establishment of the rural free delivery, and is a director in two telephone companies. He is a member of the M. E. Church, in which he has likewise been active, serving upon the building committee when the new church was erected, in 1905. He has always been liberal in his support of religious work and enterprises. Fraternally he is a thirty-second-degree Mason, belonging to Elysburg Lodge, No. 414, F. & A.M., Bloomsburg Lodge of Perfection and Bloomsburg Consistory. Mr. Dunkelberger married Martha Chamberlin, daughter of Isaac Chamberlin, and they have six children: Alverta M., wife of D. A. Beck; Mary C., wife of Harry Robinson; George A.; Susan G., wife of H. L. Beck; Herbert H.; and L. Anabel, who graduated from the Bloomsburg State normal school in 1910. GEORGE A. DUNKELBERGER, son of Tobias, was born July 18, 1882, in Shamokin, and was quite young when his parents settled at the home in Shamokin township where he was reared. He attended the focal schools, and later was a student for two years at the Millersville State normal school, in Lancaster county. Returning home he assisted his father until his marriage, after which he lived for two years upon the farm at Seven Points owned by his father. In 1908 he bought the old Swank farm, near the upper M. E. Church, where he follows agricultural pursuits, also carrying on a daily milk business, his route being to Trevorton. He is a director of the Irish Valley & Seven Points Telephone Company. Mr. Dunkelberger is an estimable young man, an active member of and worker in the Methodist Church, where he has served as president of the Epworth League and superintendent of the Junior League. In 1905 Mr. Dunkelberger married Hannah R. Sober, daughter of Isaac and Abigail (Furman) Sober, and they have three children: Verna May, Oscar Wallace and Tobias Henry. The Sober family came to America from Germany, and Samuel Sober, Sr., the founder of the family in this section, was a native of New Jersey. He came thence to Pennsylvania settling in Shamokin township shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war, and purchased a tract of land containing about seven hundred acres where the Sober brothers at one time resided his wife, who maiden name was Moore, was a resident of Shamokin township, and their children were as follows. John; Michael M., born March 12, 1801, who died Nov. 26, 1870 (his wife, Mary, died Sept. 2, 1863, aged fifty-two years) Susan, who married Morris Smith; Alexander; Isaac, born in END OF PAGE 124 1814, who died in l882 (his wife Mary, born in 1817, died in 1896); and Aaron. Samuel Sober, the father of this family, died about 1820. Alexander Sober, son of Samuel, Sr., was born in 1807 on the homestead in Shamokin township, Northumberland county, was a farmer throughout life, and inherited a portion of the homestead farm, living and dying in Shamokin township. His death occurred in December, 1869. His wife Mary Foy, also born in 1807 (probably in Rockefeller township), survived him many years continuing to live in her native place until her death in 1895. Mr. Sober was a quiet and industrious citizen and farmer, highly esteemed by his neighbors. Twelve children, nine sons and three daughters were born to him and his worthy wife, namely Samuel who is deceased; Beulah, deceased; Uriah living in Shamokin; Morris; Aaron; William A. deceased; Isaac; Salathiel, deceased; Alexander Jordan, deceased; Mary A., who married Frank Hummel; Susanna, who married Jared Neidig and Joseph, living in Sunbury. Isaac Sober, son of Alexander, born Nov. 28, 1837, followed farming and threshing throughout his active years. He resides in Shamokin township. By, his marriage to Abigail Furman the following children were born: Lillie B. married Charles Schrader; Florence A. married Grant Smith; Mary R. and Susan E. died young; Amos V. is living in California; John F. lives at home; George R. is a resident of Sunbury; Atwood lives in Baltimore; Katie L. married Harvey Wynn; Alvin A. lives in Iowa; Hannah R. married George A. Dunkelberger. Daniel Furman, grandfather of Mrs. Isaac Sober, lived in Shamokin township, Northumberland county, and followed farming. He married Rebecca Moore, and they had the following children: Moore, who was drowned; Annie, who married Bevy Taylor and (second) George Campbell; Lovina, who married Christ Yordy; Rachel, who married Peter Kreiger; Abigail, who died young; William, who died in Shamokin township: John, and Samuel, who died in Shamokin township. John Furman, son of Daniel, followed farming, and died in Shamokin township. He married Ann H. Riche, daughter of Moses Riche and they had the following children: Moore, M. Riche, Rebecca, Catharine, Hannah, Abigail (Mrs. Isaac Sober) and Elizabeth J. HENRY W. DUNKELBERGER, son of George and Catharine (Rebuck) Dunkelberger, was born on his present farm in Shamokin township Feb. 25, 1856. He obtained his education in the public schools and was engaged with his father on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he went to Michigan. After farming in that State for eighteen months he returned to his old home and learned the trade of butcher at Locust Dale, following this business for three years. It was during the time the "Molly Maguires" made times so exciting in that section. He was next engaged in farming on the old homestead for his father for some time, and he subsequently located at Weigh Scales, where he farmed for ten years. On April 15, 1890, he bought the old homestead, ninety-six acres of good land, which formerly belonged to Benneville Keim, of Reading, Pa. He is now successfully engaged in farming and trucking. Mr. Dunkelberger has attended the Shamokin markets since 1871, and is as thoroughly familiar with the marketing of produce as with its cultivation. He is an industrious, respected citizen, and has served as overseer of the poor in his district for the past twenty-three years. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the United Evangelical Church, has been a member of the P.O.S. of A. since 1878, and also belongs to the Brotherhood of America. Mr. Dunkelberger married Elizabeth Reed, daughter of Amos Reed, and they have had a family of eight children, namely: Mabel, who married Webster Lot ?? and has one son, Fain; Charles, a resident of Shamokin, who married Susan Behrent and has four children, Adelina, Carl, Mabel and Emanuel; Howard, of Snydertown, who married Mary Hawk; Viola; Emma; Charlotte; Arthula, and Leon. Amos Reed, father of Mrs. Henry W. Dunkelberger, was born Jan. 10, 1820, in Little Mahanoy township, son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Dunkelberger) Reed. His father, who was a native of Berks county, Pa., came to Northumberland county with his parents at an early period, the family settling along Plum cheek, in what is now Rockefeller township. Leonard Reed was a mason by trade. He was a Lutheran in religious faith. Of his six children, we have record of three: Solomon, Elizabeth (wife of Abraham Shaeffer) and Amos. In 1846 Amos Reed married Rebecca Fagely, daughter of Jonathan Fagely, and she died in 1852, the mother of three children: Emanuel, of Iowa; Mary, wife of Newton Furman, of Williamsport, and Maggie, wife of Andrew Wilson, of Rockefeller township. Mr. Reed's second marriage was to Sarah Swinehart by whom he had six children: Elizabeth, Mrs. Henry W. Dunkelberger; Harriet, wife of Luther Ellis, of Washington, D. C.; Charlotte, of Nebraska; Jemima, wife of Henry Miller, of Rockefeller township; Coleman, of Iowa, and Ira, of Idaho. For his third wife Mr. Reed married Susanna Trion, widow of Abraham Reitz. Mr. Reed died in 1889 and is buried at the Wolfs Cross Road church. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, which he served as elder and deacon, and in politics he was a Republican. WILLIAM G. SHOOP, of Danville, Pa., one of the leading business men of that place and of the surrounding territory, was born in Danville, only END OF PAGE 125 son of Gideon M. and Amelia (Gearhart) Shoop, the former of whom was for years one of the foremost citizens of this part of Pennsylvania. George Shoop, grandfather of William G. Shoop, was born Jan. 1, 1783, in Cumberland county, Pa., son of John Shoop. He married Elizabeth Cockley, who was born in Dauphin county April 30, 1783, and she died July 21, 1832, in Sunbury, Pa., Mr. Shoop surviving until June 21, 1849. They were the parents of seven children, born as follows: Mary Ann, Aug. 30, 1804 (born in Cumberland county); John, Sept. 10, 1807 (born in Sunbury); Amelia, March 30, 1810 (born in Sunbury); George, Jr., June 14, 1813; Jeremiah, Oct. 1, 1815 (died April 19, 1847); Sarah, Aug. 24, 1818 (died Oct. 26, 1818); Gideon M., Jan. 23, 1821. Gideon M. Shoop attended public school at Sunbury until thirteen years of age, when he went to Franklin county, Pa., to learn the art of making French buhr millstones, at which he was employed for two years. When fifteen he went to Cumberland county, where he followed his trade for some time, until ready to establish himself in business. In 1841 he came to Danville as collecting agent for several stage lines, and in that capacity performed the duty of sorting and distributing the mail. In 1846 he rented the "Brady Hotel," which he repaired and improved, added another story and changed the name to the "Montour House," by which name it is still known. After eighteen months in the hotel business he sold out and went into the mercantile business, in which he was engaged for several years. On April 11, 1849, he was appointed postmaster of Danville, serving as such until Nov. 26, 1852. In 1850, when Montour county was formed out of Columbia, Mr. Shoop and Dr. Frick were the prime movers in the formation of the new county, and instrumental in its erection. For over thirty years he served as a director of the Danville National Bank, and he was influential in the promotion of various industries in Danville, was a director of the Danville Nail & Manufacturing Company, of the Danville Bridge Company, and of a number of similar concerns. Mr. Shoop became interested in the lumber business as opportunity offered, purchasing several tracts of timberland in Montour and adjoining counties, cutting the timber and building a number of sawmills in which to prepare the lumber for market. When wood grew scarce in his own locality he turned his attention to the South, where he acquired large interests. This was his last business. One of Mr. Shoop's pet enterprises was the Danville high school, of which he was one of the foremost advocates from the project was first broached. If there was one of his achievements which he valued above others it was undoubtedly what he accomplished in this direction. For fourteen years previous to his death he was a trustee of the hospital for the care of the insane at Danville. In political sentiment he was a stanch Republican, and influential in his locality, but not an office seeker; socially he was identified with Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. &. A.M., and with the Royal Arch chapter. He was a prominent member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, which he served faithfully as president of the board of trustees, steward and teacher in the Sunday school and his interest extended to the denomination at large. In 1880 he was elected a lay delegate to the Central Pennsylvania Conference, and the same year was elected by the Conference to the General Conference which met at Cincinnati Ohio. His death occurred March 20, 1909. On Dec. 2, 1846, Mr. Shoop married Amelia Gearhart, daughter of William and Sarah (Boone) Gearhart, both members of prominent old families of this region more particularly mentioned later in this article, and to them were born four children: Clarence and Jeremiah, twins, who died in infancy; William G., and George, who died at the age of five years. Mrs. Shoop died Oct. 17, 1896. William G. Shoop, son of Gideon M. and Amelia (Gearhart) Shoop, was given educational advantages in his youth, and upon commencing the earnest business of life became associated with his father. He has continued the sawmill successfully to the present time, maintaining the high reputation established by his father in a long and prosperous career. He has worthily worn a name which has been identified with the most progressive interests of this portion of the State for many years, and has managed all his interests with an ability which entitles him to rank among the most substantial men of the vicinity. On Dec. 2, 1906, Mr. Shoop married Mary Emma Robertson, of Galesburg, Ill., daughter of John and Mary (Wallace) Robertson, formerly of Cumberland county, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Shoop reside in the beautiful stone mansion at the corner of East Market and Fern streets, Danville. They attend the Presbyterian Church. William Gearhart, grandfather of Mrs. Gideon M. Shoop, came to Northumberland county, Pa., in 1790 with his brother Capt. Jacob Gearhart, William taking up the land between Kipp's run and the stream that enters the river above Riverside. Both had married in New Jersey, from which State they moved to this region, William (probably the elder) marrying Eleanor De Knight. They were the parents of seven children: William, Tobias, Aaron, Jacob, Elizabeth (Mrs. Amens), Mary (Mrs. Lamberson) and Ann (Mrs. Amens). William Gearhart, son of William and Eleanor Gearhart died in 1847. He married Sarah Boone, and they had five children, born as follows: Mayberry, in 1813; Eleanor, in 1814; Harriet, in 1815; Julia Ann, in 1818; Amelia, in 1821. END OF PAGE 126 The Boones, Mrs. Gideon M. Shoop's maternal ancestors, descended from George Boone (1), who lived in England. His son, George (2), was born in the city of Exeter, Devonshire, England, and died at the age of sixty years. By trade he was a blacksmith. He married Sarah Uppey, who lived to the age of eighty, and to their union was born George Boone (3), whose birth occurred in 1666 at the village of Stoak, near Exeter. He married Mary Manbridge, who was born in 1669, daughter of John and Mary (Milton) Manbridge, and died in 1740, in her seventy-second year. George Boone (3) and his wife arrived in Philadelphia Oct. 10, 1717, spent some time at Abington, Pa., then two years at North Wales, eventually moving to Oley township, Berks county, where they settled. Warrants for 400 acres of land there issued to him, dated 1718, are on record. The original homestead is now owned by Morris DeTurk. This George Boone died in Berks county July 27, 1747. He left eight children, fifty-two grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren, all of whom excepting Sarah and Squire remained and died in Exeter township, Berks county, as the records of the Exeter Friends burying ground show. We have the following record of the children born to George Boone (3) and his wife Mary (Manbridge): (1) George (4), born July 13, 1690, died Nov. 20, 1753. He was a teacher by profession, served as magistrate, and was a man of great prominence in the community. On July 31, 1713, he married Deborah Howell, who died Jan. 26, 1757. (2) Sarah, born Feb. 18, 1691 (?), married Jacob Stover. They moved to Virginia and later to Kentucky. (3) Squire, born Nov. 25, 1696, died in 1764 in North Carolina, whither he moved in 1750. About 1745 he erected what was then the largest barn in Berks county, a stone structure which remained standing until 1875, when it was torn down by Mr. DeTurk, who needed a larger building. The masonry was found to be perfect, and the walls had to be blasted to pieces in spite of the fact that they had stood for over one hundred and thirty years. In 1750 Mr. Boone sold his farm to Mr. DeTurk, and it has since remained in the latter's family. Squire Boone married Sarah Morgan, an aunt of Gen. Daniel Morgan, of Revolutionary fame, and they were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom lived to the ages of between eighty-three and ninety-one years, one of this family being Daniel Boone, the famous Kentucky pioneer. Another was Hawkins Boone, who built Fort Boone, at the mouth of Warrior Run. (4) Mary, born Sept. 23, 1699, died Jan. 16, 1774. She married John Webb, and they were the parents of eleven children, of whom Samuel moved to Columbia county, Pa., settling near Espy. His daughter Mary married Mordecai Lincoln, brother of Abraham, and son of Mordecai who died in 1735-36. (5) Joseph, born April 5, 1704, died Jan. 30, 1776; his wife's name was Catharine. (6) Benjamin, born July 16, 1706, died Oct. 14, 1762. In 1726, at Abington, Pa., he married (first) Ann Farmer, and they were the parents of John and Susanna. There were five children by the second marriage, Mary, Benjamin, James, Samuel (whose daughter married Hezekiah Pancoast) and Dinah, who married Benjamin Tallman, son of William and Ann (Lincoln) Tallman - Benjamin being their only child who reached maturity and left descendants. Ann (Lincoln), his mother, was the sister of Sarah Lincoln, wife of William Boone, and they were daughters of Mordecai Lincoln, whose will was probated in 1736. Mordecai Lincoln married (second) Mary Robinson, and Sarah and Ann were their children; there was also a posthumous son, Abram. Among the sons of his first marriage was John, who had a son Abraham, who was the father of Thomas Lincoln, who married Nancy Hanks and became the father of Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States. William and Ann (Lincoln) Tallman moved to Virginia, where they died. Benjamin and Dinah (Boone) Tallman also moved to Virginia, but about 1805-10 they settled in Ohio, where he died about 1820 and she about 1824. (7) James, born July 18, 1709, died Sept. 1, 1785. He married Mary Foulke and (second) Anna Griffiths, and by his wife Mary had fourteen children. One of his sons, James, became an astronomer; he wrote the Boone manuscript from which much of the material used in this article is taken. The eldest child, Ann, married Abram Lincoln, posthumous child of Mordecai Lincoln, who died in 1735- 36. Mordecai Lincoln, son of Abram and Ann (Boone) Lincoln, married Julia Mayberry, sister of Margaret Mayberry, who was the wife of George Boone, son of William and Sarah Boone. Margaret Lincoln, only child of Mordecai and Julia (Mayberry) Lincoln who reached maturity, married a Mr. Barto. George Boone (4), born July 13, 1690, married Deborah Howell, and they had a family of ten children, born as follows: George (5), May 3, 1713, who died Sept. 30, 1737; Mary, Feb. 10, 1716; Hannah, July 20, 1718; Deborah, Dec. 18, 1720; Dinah, Oct. 18, 1722; Wm. Sept. 18, 1724; Josiah, Jan. 6, 1726; Jeremiah, Jan. 16, 1729; Abigail, Aug. 9, 1732; Hezekiah, March 22, 1734. William Boone, son of George (4), born Sept. 18, 1724 died in 1771. His will, signed May 23, 1768 and probated Dec. 6, 1771, provides for the following: To daughter Abigail, wife of Adin Pancoast 70 pounds; to repair the Exeter burying ground; to daughter Mary, 100 pounds at age of twenty years; to son Mordecai 50 pounds before division. The remainder of the estate was to be divided equally among the sons who were to be put to trades. On March 26, 1748, William Boone married Sarah Lincoln, who was born END OF PAGE 127 in January, 1727, and died April 21, 1810. The mother and children Mordecai, William, Mary, George, Thomas, Jeremiah and Hezekiah, by certificate members of Fairfax Meeting, Virginia, Oct. 30, 1776 were dismissed from Exeter; Sarah Boone and her children Mary, William, George, Jeremiah and Hezekiah were dismissed to Exeter Meeting by certificate later. Following is the record of the children born to William and Sarah (Lincoln) Boone: (1) Abigail was married May 28, 1767, to Adin Pancoast, who died Dec. 12, 1822. Her death occurred May 14, 1808. She had a certificate to Fairfax Meeting and another to return to Exeter, June 28, 1797, and a third from Exeter to Catawissa, and in the last are named children as follows: William, Mary and Hezekiah. Of these, William married Vashti Cooper and their daughter Mary married James Evans Lindsey, by whom he had a son, William Lindsey. Hezekiah, born June 8, 1789, was married March 26, 1815, to Rachel Boone, who was born May 30, 1789, daughter of Samuel Boone, who died on Fishing creek in 1811. (2) William married Susanna Parks, of Reading, Pa., who in 1778 had a certificate to Pipe Creek. In 1782 their descendants founded Boonsboro, Md. (3) Mordecai. (4) Mary married Isaac Lee, Exeter Meeting, May 8, 1777. (5) Thomas died Oct. 28 1823, in Amity township, Berks Co., Pa. married a daughter of Richard Lee. (6) Jeremiah. (7) Hezekiah married Hannah Hughs daughter of George Hughs, in Exeter township Berks Co., Pa. He died in Catawissa township Columbia Co., Pa., and his will was probated April 5, 1827. The children of his first wife were: William and George, of Schuylkill Co., Pa.; Martha Mrs. Lewis Vastine; Ann, Mrs. J. Wolverton; and Newton, who died in Bloomsburg, Pa.; the children by the second marriage were: Milton, who died at Pottsville; Surrissa; Hannah; John; Judah, of Schuylkill County, Pa.; Willetts, who died in Bloomsburg, Pa.; and Elizabeth, who died in Pottsville, Pa. (8) George, born in 1739, died in 1824. He married Hannah Hughs, and to them were born the following children: Edward Margaret, T. Ellis, Joseph, William Ridgeway, Elizabeth, and Jeremiah, all of whom died early in life. The mother of this family died in 1774 and Mr. Boone married (second) Margaret Mayberry, of Hereford township, Berks Co., Pa., daughter of Mrs. Ann Lee, wife of Richard Lee and widow of William Mayberry. By this union there were ten children, born as follows: Sarah, May l0, 1782 (married William Gearhart); William, Nov. 12, 1783; Ann, Aug. 21, 1785; Charles, Dec. 23, 1786: Mary, Oct. 18. 1788; George, Aug. 7, 1790 (died May 30, 1860); Elizabeth, Aug. 23, 1798; Harriet, Nov. 22, 1795; Margaret, May 25, 1798; Rachel, Feb. 5, 1801. DAVID LLEWELLYN, late of Shamokin was prominently connected with the coal mining industry in this region for many years and was also one of the foremost citizens in various other phases of the local business development. His association with the Shamokin Banking Company and with companies which promoted various public utilities of the borough, involving services which give his name a permanent place among the valuable residents of this section. Mr. Llewellyn, who was born Nov. 20, 1825, in Caerphilly, Wales, was the eldest son of Edward and Sarah (Harris) Llewellyn, natives of South Wales, who came to this country about 1831. The parents first settled in Carbondale, Pa., in 1836 moving to St. Clair, Schuylkill county, and in 1838 to Pottsville, in the same county, where the remainder of their lives was passed. The father, Mr. Edward Llewellyn, died in 1844, his wife surviving until 1866. David, Llewellyn and John were their sons, Mary and Ann, their daughters. David Llewellyn, came to America with his parents and began miner's work in early life; working at different branches of the business. In 1853 he located at Mount Carmel, Northumberland county, where he spent several years, engaged in the development of what became known as Bell's Tunnel. Thence he went to Locust Gap, where he was with Haas & Bowen and other firms as inside superintendent in 1863 coming to Shamokin to take the position of superintendent with Haas & Fagely, coal operators. In 1869 he was admitted to the firm and from that time until 1886, when he relinquished the coal business, he was one of the active figures in the local coal field. He held interests in the Cameron, Helfenstein and Big Mountain mines, and was one of the prominent and wealthy operators of this region, which in his progressive and enterprising spirit gained a fresh impetus and an added facto Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 540 thru 552 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck. Tar2@psu.edu USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals And libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. SILAS B. PARK, a substantial farmer and land owner of West Chillisquaque township, was born there Oct. 1, 1864, son of James Park. The founder of the family in this county, James Park, came from New Jersey and settled near what is now the borough of Northumberland. His son John settled in Chillisquaque township and purchased a farm. He married Annie Stillson, and they reared children as follows: Sarah, who married William Painter; Elsie; James; Mary, who married James Park, of New York State; J. S.; and Hezekiah, who married a Miss Van Devender. James Park, son of John, was born in 1825, married Araminta Brees, and died in 1908. Four children were born to this couple: John Minard, Amy (deceased), Ira (deceased) and Silas B. John Minard Park, son of James, was born Dec. 15, 1855, married Clara Huntingdon Noss, and has the following children: Isabella C., born Feb. 12, 1882, who married Daniel Smith and has one son, John M.; James T., born Oct. 7, 1883; David J., born July 20, 1885; Amy J., born Oct. 21, 1887; Elsie M., born Dec. 10, 1889; William L., born Aug. 6, 1893; Olive M., born Jan. 15, 1895; and Mary H., born Feb. 24, 1900. Silas B. Park attended the public schools of his native locality and later was a student at Bucknell Academy, from which he was graduated. In 1894 he bought part of the old homestead farm in West Chillisquaque township, in 1904 purchasing another part and in 1909 a third, the latter portion comprising 100 acres. He resides on the adjoining tract of fifty acres, which is good farming land and well cultivated. Mr. Park is thrifty in the management of his own work and an excellent citizen in his relation to the community, supporting all progressive movements and taking particular interest in the question of free education. He is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Park married Estella B. Zarr, daughter of Lloyd T. Zarr, of Columbia county, Pa., and they have had two children, Harold E. and Lloyd T. JOSIAH RHOADS, who has been superintendent at the Greenough colliery, at Locust Gap, for the past ten years, has been a miner all his life having begun work at the mines in the humblest capacity and worked his way forward to responsible position. He is a native of Shamokin, born Jan. 20, 1864, and is a son of Henry Rhoads. His grandfather lived in Columbia county, Pa., and died there. One of his sons, Jacob, was killed in the Civil war. Henry Rhoads was born Jan. 30, 1821, in Columbia county, and came to Shamokin among the early residents of the borough. He was a carpenter, and followed his trade throughout his active years in this section, building breakers and later doing house carpentry. He died at Shamokin March 28, 1891, and is buried in the Shamokin cemetery. Mr. Rhoads married Annie Adams, member of an old family of Ralpho township, this county, born Nov. 24, 1824, died March 15, 1893. Nine children were born to them: Frank, who lives in Shamokin; Isaiah, deceased; William, deceased; Louisa, deceased; Henry, a resident of Shamokin; Theodore, of Shamokin; Josiah; Daniel, deceased; and Amos, whose home is in Missouri. Josiah Rhoads attended the public schools for a few years, but he was only a boy of ten when he commenced picking slate at the Buck Ridge colliery, continuing at that work for four years. He then commenced mining at the Henry Clay colliery; where he was employed about five years, after which he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he was engaged, about the breakers, for seven years. His next work was as boss at the Union colliery, and after ten years there he came to the Greenough, in May, 1900, as superintendent. This colliery, located at Marion Heights, is one of the best known in the Coal region, about 550 men and boys finding employment there. Mr. Rhoads's reputation for faithful and intelligent work is well deserved, and he has the thorough respect of his employers and of the many workers in his charge. On May 21, 1887, Mr. Rhoads married Mary Luke, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Harris) Luke, of Shamokin, and they have had five children: Adam Stanley, Josiah H., Ruth E., Claude A., and a son that died in infancy. In politics Mr. Rhoads is independent, voting for the candidate he prefers, regardless of party affiliation. He is a member of the Reformed END OF PAGE 540 church, and socially holds membership in the I.O.O.F. and Encampment and the B.P.O. Elks. THOMAS L. BRENNAN, proprietor of the "Kellagher Hotel" at Locust Gap, in Mount Carmel township, has but recently settled at that place, and until he took charge of the hotel was engaged in mining. He is a native of Schuylkill county, Pa., born April 14, 1871, at Pottsville, and is of Irish descent, his father, John Brennan having been born in Ireland. John Brennan came to the United States when a young man, and settled at Pottsville, Pa. He was a shoemaker, and followed his trade there until his death, which occurred in 1873. He married Catherine Colby, who survived him many years, dying in 1899, and they are buried at Pottsville. They had a large family, namely: Patrick, Annie, Elizabeth, Michael, William, James Catherine, Mary, Margaret, John and Thomas L. Thomas L. Brennan attended the public schools of Pottsville and began work at the mines when only a boy, picking slate. Later he became a regular miner and on coming to Locust Gap, in February, 1908, was employed at tunnel work for a year at the Locust Spring colliery. On Feb. 23, 1909, he took charge of the "Kellagher Hotel," a well known and old established hotel stand in this region which he has since successfully managed. He has an obliging disposition which wins and holds custom, and bids fair to continue the popularity the hotel has always enjoyed. On Feb. 23, 1909, Mr. Brennan married Mrs. Margaret (Brown) Kellagher, widow of Michael Kellagher. They have no children. MICHAEL KELLAGHER was born Nov. 21, 1857, at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., son of Patrick and Jane (Lynch) Kellagher, natives of Counties Fermanagh and Cavan, Ireland, respectively, who came to America in 1840. They settled in Schuylkill county, where the father began work in the mines. Following that occupation throughout his active years. In the late sixties he removed to Locust Gap, where he made a permanent home and died. He and his wife had a family of twelve children, two of whom died young, the others being as follows: Michael, Mary (Mrs. John McHugh), William, Jane, Robert, John, Anna, Kate, Susan and Elizabeth. Michael Kellagher received his education in the public schools. He was only nine when he began work at a coal breaker, and continued work at the mines until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he established himself as proprietor of the "Locust Summit Hotel" at Locust Gap. He was successfully engaged as a hotel-keeper there until his death, which occurred Aug. 19, 1902. Mr. Kellagher was not only a good business man, but one of the best known citizens in public life in his end of Northumberland county, and a man highly respected by all who came in contact with him. He was a Democrat in politics, served as school director of Mount Carmel township, and in 1881 was elected county commissioner, in which office he served two successive terms. On April 14, 1887, Mr. Kellagher married Margaret Brown, daughter of Simon and Mary (Casey) Brown, of Danville, Pa., and to them were born five children, namely: Jennie, who was a public school teacher before her marriage to Raymond Everett; Florence, who is engaged as a teacher in Mount Carmel township; Margaret; William, and Helen. Mr. Kellagher was a Catholic in religious faith. JACOB IRVIN McCOLLUM, of Shamokin, has for the past few years been interested in the livery business there in partnership with E. H. Martz, under the firm name of Martz & McCollum. For a number of years before he became engaged in that line he was employed at the collieries. Mr. McCollum is a native of Union county, Pa., born June 27, 1862, near Winfield, son of Ephraiin S. McCollum and grandson of George McCollum. The McCollum family is of Scottish origin, its founder in this country coming from Scotland at an early date. Peter McCollum, the great-grandfather of Jacob I. McCollum, lived at New Holland, Lancaster Co., Pa., at which place his son George McCollum was born. In his early life he followed agricultural pursuits, later learning the trade of millwright in his native county. He followed it at different times, but not exclusively. Moving to Northumberland county with his wife and eldest son, he located in Point township, where he was employed at farm work by Squire Gale. He then went to Union county, where he lived for many years, and was there employed at his trade by Squire Shannon, repairing mills. His closing years were spent in retirement at the home of his son Ephraim S., in Trevorton, Northumberland county, where he died. He is buried there. His wife, Julia (Irvin), a native of Lancaster county, died in Union county. They had children as follows: Uriah died in Union county; Samuel died in Union county; Mary married Jacob Meiner and died at Danville, Pa.; William died at Danville, Pa.; Jane married Edward Clark; Ephraim S. is mentioned below; Julia married Charles Mills; George died in Union county; Alexander is living in the borough of Shamokin. Ephraim S. McCollum, son of George, was born Nov. 17, 1838, in Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Pa., and attended the local schools until he reached the age of twelve years. For the next five years he was employed at the iron ore mines, after which END OF PAGE 541 he was engaged at the ironworks at Union Furnace, Union county, for some time. There he enlisted, in 1864, for service in the Union army during the Civil war, joining Company M, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, for one year. After the war he came to Northumberland county, being first at Shamokin, and followed work at the mines until his retirement, being employed in both the rock and Coal mines. Since 1909 he has not done any laborious work. He lived at Trevorton several years, and now resides in Shamokin. Mr. McCollum married Sarah Allvord, a native of Schuylkill county, Pa., daughter of George Allvord, of Williamson Valley, that county. She died June 29, 1881, at Trevorton, Northumberland county, the mother of three children: Jacob I.; Jane, who married John A. Weaver, of Shamokin; and Frederick, living at Burnside. Jacob I. McCollum, son of Ephram S., received his education in the public schools of Trevorton. He began work at the North Franklin colliery, No. 10, where he continued to be employed for about ten years, at the end of which time he came to Shamokin and went to work at the Henry Clay colliery, where he remained one year and three months. From there he changed to the Burnside colliery, where he was employed continuously for the long period of twenty-two years. On Dec 6, 1909, Mr. McCollum returned to Shamokin and formed his present association with his son-in-law, E. H. Martz, engaging the livery business under the firm name of Martz & McCollum. They have established a large and paying business, and have a reputation for reliability which attracts and holds their patrons. Mr. McCollum has become well known in various connections. He has been active in the local interests of the Republican party, and for three years served as register assessor of the South Coal District. Socially he holds membership in Shamokin Lodge, I.O.O.F., Shamokin Lodge, B.P.O.E., the K.G.E., the red Men and the Conclave, S.P.K. He belongs to the Evangelical church. For some time he was a member of the old Trevorton band. On July 24, 1883, Mr. McCollum married Mary Haupt, daughter of Dr. Samuel and Sarah (Frame) Haupt, and they have had a large family, namely: Sarah May, wife of E. H. Martz; John W.; Hettie A.; Frederick I.; Ivanhoe; George C.; Samuel I.; Ralph W.; Theodore R., and Mary J. SPOTTS. There are two branches of the Spotts family in Lower Mahanoy township, both descended from Sebastian Spat, the ancestor of a numerous family, who was born on the ship while his parents were enroute to America, Feb. 25, 1740. They were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. After landing at Philadelphia they proceeded to Berks county, Pa., where they made a permanent home, and where Sebastian Spat passed his youth and early married life. All his children were born there. He brought his family to Northumberland county in an early day, settling in that part of Mahanoy township now known as Lower Mahanoy, where he died March 26, 1802. He was a large land owner, his property being located in the Stone Valley, which region was wild when he located there. The Indians were his neighbors. Among his children were Johannes, Adam and Matthias. The last named lived in the vicinity of Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., Pa., where he is buried, and the Spotts family of that region are his descendants. He was a blacksmith by trade. Johannes Spatz (as he spelled the name), son of Sebastian, was born May 24, 1762, in Berks county (probably in Bern township), and died Nov. 24, 1856, when over ninety-four years old. His tombstone is in the old part of the graveyard of Stone Valley church. He married Anna Maria Keiser (1765-1834), also a native of Berks county, and they came to Northumberland county after their marriage carrying all their belongings in a bundle. This was about 1784. Taking up land in Stone Valley now embraced in the farm of John H. Spotts, a descendant, they erected a log hut near the fine spring which still makes that tract famous in the vicinity, it being one of the strongest and purest in the state. The land has remained in the family name continuously since - a period of over 126 years. The country was in a primitive state at the time of their settlement there. Wolves and bears often visited their clearing, and bears several times killed pigs in the pen; once they licked out the kettles in which "Mother" Spatz cooked the mush. Johannes Spatz was a man of medium size, but healthy, robust and industrious, and he was a proficient blacksmith, following the trade for forty years, and only abandoning it eventually because of a disabled arm. He made hinges, locks, etc., and found his mechanical skill very useful in the new country. In those days the pioneers in this locality had to take their grain to Reading to be ground, and they had to buy all their market goods at the same point, where what little produce they had to sell or exchange was also disposed of. In going down the steep hills they were obliged to improvise brakes for their wagons, which they did by chopping down trees which (with all their branches) they fastened by chains to the back of the wagon. Among the possessions of Johannes Spatz and his wife which have come down as treasured heirlooms to the present generation are a walnut bureau made by one John Schmidt and now owned by Henry Spotts, grandson of Johannes. Miss Fietta Spotts, of Dalmatia, has chinaware that belonged to them, red and blue END OF PAGE 542 dishes that are unusually beautiful and highly valued. This pioneer couple were German Reformed members of the Stone Valley Church, which he served as elder many years. He was well informed concerning the Scriptures, and during his later years spent much time in their perusal. His family consisted of two sons and four daughters: Elizabeth (Betz), Mrs. Kemp; Catharine, Mrs. Johannes Brosius; Mrs. Adam Herb; Mrs. Philip Spayd; Johannes, born Sept. 15, 1786, who died Feb. 3, 1810, from the effects of his efforts in a jumping match in which the boys and young men of his district participated one Sunday; and Jacob. Jacob Spotts, son of Johannes, was born June 1788, in what is now Lower Mahanoy township, and died on his farm there June 16, 1852. He owned the farm which was formerly his father's, and in the ownership of which Jacob was succeeded by his son Jacob, the latter's son Uriah next obtaining possession of it, and John H. Spotts, the present owner, being Uriah's son. Jacob Spotts, Sr., built the present barn on the place and part of the house. He was a blacksmith by trade, and skillful in turning out various products, making nails, iron spoons, etc. His grand- daughter, Fietta Spotts, has a frying pan that he made with a hammer. He was a man of fairly good education in German. He took an active part in church work, belonging to Zion's Church of Stone Valley, which he served as trustee and elder. His wife Sarah Maria (Emerich), born April 28, 1789, daughter of John Michael Emerich, died Dec. 14, 1872 or 1873. Ten children were born to this couple Jacob; Adam, who died when twenty years old; John; Elizabeth, who married John Seiler; George; Philip; Catharine, who married Isaac Schaffer; Michael; Henry; and William, who died in youth. HENRY SPOTTS, son of Jacob, was born June 12, 1831 on the homestead farm in Lower Mahanoy township and has passed all but seven years of his life in this section. He was reared to farm life, and when eighteen years old commenced to learn the trade of saddler from a man named Kemp, who came from Berks county. He followed his trade in various localities. Moving out to Ohio, he lived there for seven years, in New Pittsburg, Wayne county, where he followed his trade, conducted a hotel, and for two years engaged in butchering. For eleven years Mr. Spotts was engaged in hotel-keeping at McKees Half Falls, where he also lived for five years more, and he also conducted a hotel at Shamokin Dam, where he lived for three years. When seventy-five years old he made a double set of harness which his daughter Fietta owns and prizes greatly. He has always been regarded as a reliable and valuable citizen, in every community with which he has been identified, though except for a year's service as supervisor, while in Ohio, he has never taken any active part in public life. In politics he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Reformed congregation at Stone Valley Church. In 1856 Mr. Spotts married Emma Jane Bingaman, who became the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Fietta; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Peter H. Daubert; John O., of Port Trevorton, Pa.; and William C., of Shamokin Dam, Pa. For his second wife Mr. Spotts married Anna M. Bubb, by whom he has three sons: George Clarence is engaged in farming the land of his sister in Lower Mahanoy township; Leon lives in Mahanoy City (he was a soldier in the Philippines during the Spanish-American war); Philip, who is a railroader, lives at Sunbury, this county. MISS FIETTA SPOTTS owns a farm of seventy-four acres, in Lower Mahanoy township, which her brother is farming. She made her home in Dalmatia, where she had a nice residence, comfortable and well equipped, until her recent removal to Harrisburg, Pa. She is a member of the Reformed congregation of the Dalmatia Union Church, and for a number of years was active in the Sunday school work of that organization. Adam Spotts, another son of Sebastian Spat, the pioneer, was born in Berks county, Pa., and lived there until after his marriage. About 1806 he came to what is now Lower Mahanoy township, Northumberland county, settling on the farm along the Mahantango creek now owned by John H. Witmer. He was a blacksmith by trade, as were two of his brothers, one settling near Northumberland, and the other two, Johannes and Adam, in Mahanoy (now Lower Mahanoy) township. Adam Spotts is buried at the Stone Valley Church, in Lower Mahanoy township. His wife, Barbara (Fritz), was from Lititz, Lancaster Co., Pa. Their children were as follows: Elizabeth married John Spayd; Mary Magdalena married Daniel Radel; Sally married Samuel Witmer; Lydia married Nicholas Bohner; Joseph married Sarah Shutt; Michael married Catharine Bohner; John married Lydia Hepner. John Spotts, son of Adam, was a farmer in Lower Mahanoy township, owning the place which now belongs to Henry Kiehl. He was nicknamed "Monty." Mr. Spotts made the old kind of wooden pumps, and he was noted for his skill and reliability as a fence-maker. He married Lydia Hepner, and his children were: Samuel, Isaac, Elias, Joel, Frank, Benjamin, Eliza and Sophia. Joseph Spotts, son of Adam, was known as "Locust" Spotts. He was a well known merchant at Line Mountain, in Lower Mahanoy. He married Sarah Shutt, and they had children: William, Catharine, Polly, Hannah and John. Michael Spotts, son of Adam, was the progen- END OF PAGE 543 itor of the line in which we are at present interested. Like his brother he had a nickname, being well known as "Pinky" Spotts. He was an expert miller, and followed his trade for many years, living at different mill's. Born in Lower Mahanoy township, he ended his days in the same vicinity, dying at Pillow (Uniontown) Feb. 17, 1901, aged eighty-three years, four months. He is buried at that place. His wife, Catharine (Bohner), daughter of Henry Bohner, died May 10, 1897, aged seventy-six years, two months, twenty-one days. The following children were born to this union: Henry; John; Aaron; Mary (Polly), Mrs. Henry Searer; Adam; Sarah, Mrs. Fred Wiest; Andrew; Louisa, Mrs. Emanuel; Michael; Benneville; Ellen, Mrs. Leon Martz; Michael. Aaron Spotts, son of Michael, was born Feb. 6, 1844, on the farm in Lower Mahanoy township now owned by Pierce Boyer, and he was reared in that township. During his early life he followed farming, to which he had been trained from early boyhood, and for a number of years he was a tenant farmer. He served as a soldier in Company D, 46th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, having enlisted for three years, and had served eighteen months of his term when the war closed. In 1872 be purchased twenty-five acres of land, part of the Samuel Miller farm, and there he has since resided, cultivating his land and engaging in other work. He built his house in 1878 and his barn in 1887. For some years Mr. Spotts followed carpentering, and for five years he was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, working on bridges. He has been quite active in the public affairs of the community, served two terms as constable, and is at present one of the road commissioners. Politically he is a Republican. On Oct. 3, 1867, Mr. Spotts married Sarah Jane Schaffer, who was born in 1847, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Reed) Schaffer, and died Feb. 22, 1889. She is buried at Zion's Stone Valley Church. Six children were born to this union, two of whom, one son and one daughter, died young, the others being: Harry E.; Lizzie, Mrs. Elmer I. Radel; Eva J., Mrs. Jere W. Lenker; and Rev. George W., a Reformed minister now living at Tremont, Pa., who married Pauline Schock. Mr. Spotts and his family are members of the Reformed congregation of the Stone Valley Church, and he has served as deacon. Harry E. Spotts, son of Aaron, was born Oct. 6, 1872, in Lower Mahanoy township, where he is now engaged in farming. He worked for his parents until be became of age, meanwhile receiving a good practical education in the local public schools and a thorough training to farm work. In the spring of 1893 he began farming as a tenant in his native township, renting land until the spring of 1910, when he purchased the old Samuel Hepner homestead there. This property consisted of thirty acres, lying on the road between Hickory Corners and Pillow. Mr. Spotts is particularly interested in poultry raising. He has various other business affairs to occupy his time and attention, being associated closely in business matters with Dr. M. L. Emerick, for whom he is private secretary, also looking after the Doctors financial interests to a large extent. Mr. Spotts has property in Washington, D. C., which he owns individually, and besides has large buildings in the Federal Realty Company and in the Keystone Realty Company, both of Washington, D. C. His real estate transactions have reached considerable proportions, and he has handled them ably and intelligently, proving himself a man of ability in his different undertakings. On Sept. 1, 1892, Mr. Spotts married Mary E. Radel, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Lenker) Radel and to them have been born thirteen children, 6 of whom are deceased, the survivors being: Cordelia May, Mary Jane, Lottie Fay, Edna M., Harry A., Stella and Marlan. Mr. Spotts and his family are members of the Stone Valley Church belonging to the Reformed congregation. Politically he is a Republican, and he has taken considerable interest in the welfare of his party in his locality; he has served as register assessor. FREDERICK R. DORNSIFE, merchant and proprietor of the "Hotel Dornsife," at Dornsife, this county, was born in Little Mahanoy township Jan. 15, 1871, son of Samuel H. and Harriet (Raker) Dornsife. The family has long been established in that section, Daniel Dornsife, grandfather of Frederick R. Dornsife, having lived there on the farm later owned by his son Samuel and now in the possession of Henry Reed, son-in-law of Samuel H. Dornsife. Daniel Dornsife was born Oct. 27. 1792, and died Aug. 2, 1859, aged sixty-six years, nine months, six days. He and his wife Anna (Herb) are buried at the Little Mahanoy Church, of which they were Lutheran members. By occupation he was a farmer. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. The children of Daniel and Anna (Herb) Dornsife were: Susan married Conrad Raker; Anna married Daniel Lenker; Lydia H., born Oct. 29, 1837, died unmarried Aug. 25, 1863; Rebecca married John Raker; Isaac lived in Mahanoy City; Harry (Henry) lived in Kansas City; Samuel H. is mentioned below; Dr. Daniel lived at Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. Henry Dornsife, brother or Daniel (above), was born June 9, 1794, and died Sept. 3, 1867; his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Fasold), born Dec. 18, 1799, died Aug. 13, 1873. They were farming people and lived in Little Mahanoy township. END OF PAGE 544 Their children were; John, William, Elias, Levi, Jonathan (died young), Mary (Polly), Elizabeth, Catharine and Susanna. These brothers, Daniel and Henry Dornsife, were sons of one of the Hessian soldiers brought over to fight in the King's army during the Revolution. Like many of his countrymen he remained in America, settling on the west side of the Susquehanna river, where he died at a comparatively early age; He is buried there. He married Elizabeth Kahwel, who was born March 20, 1761, and died Sept. 3, 1827, in Little Mahanoy township, Northumberland county, whither she and her two sons Daniel and Henry moved after her husband's death. Here she married (second) John Dunkelberger (1745-1818), and they are buried in a private burial ground on the old John Dunkelberger homestead. Her sons Daniel and Henry (locally known as "Henner") Dornsife are buried at Little Mahanoy Church; they were nicknamed "die Grumbera Hesse." Samuel H. Dornsife, son of Daniel Dornsife, was born May 20 1825, in Little Mahanoy township, where he lived and died, passing away April 4, 1889. His birth and death took place on the farm now owned by his son-in-law, Henry Reed, in the western part of Little Mahanoy, though the tract was larger in his day, and he not only followed farming but blacksmithing and tanning, having a small tannery in which he made leather for his own use. He also hewed millstones, and was an all around mechanic, quite famous in the locality for his skill. His wife Harriet, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Raker, of Little Mahanoy township, died March 19, 1902, aged sixty-five years, eight months, eighteen days, the mother of a large family, namely: Anna, wife of Henry Reed; Daniel, of Shamokin; Katie, wife of Jacob Lenker; Samuel R., who died Jan. 22, 1901, aged thirty one years, eight months, fifteen days; Frederick R.; Susan, who died Sept. 23, 1890, aged seventeen years, eight months, twenty-eight days; Henry; Reilly; a son that died in infancy; Mary, wife of Anthony Dice; David, and Felix. Frederick R. Dornsife received his education in the public schools of the home locality, was reared to farm life, and when eighteen began to learn the trade of painter and paper hanger. He continued to follow that occupation until 1900, in which year he became the proprietor of the "Neversink Hotel" at Trevorton Pa., conducting that establishment for three years. On June 5, 1904, Mr. Dornsife came to Dornsife, where he has since been successfully engaged in business, conducting the store and hotel, of which he is owner and proprietor. Since 1907 he has also been postmaster. Besides a full line of general merchandise, for which he has an extensive local trade Mr. Dornsife deals in coal, salt, railroad ties, bark. and lumber, giving employment to two men and doing considerable of the work himself. He has become prosperous through his industry and good management, and is a creditable representative of a family always honored in this district. The village of Dornsife, a settlement of about one hundred people, was named for Henry Dornsife (uncle of Frederick R. Dornsife), who was a miller and had a gristmill near by, on the Mahanoy creek, in successful operation. Dornsife is a station on the Herndon branch of the Philadelphia & Reading road. In September, 190-, Mr. Dornsife married Cassie, daughter of the late Daniel M. Zartman and his wife Lena (Peifer), of Dornsife. Three children have been born to this union: Goldie May, Robert Raynold and Lena Catharine. Mr. Dornsife is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Trevorton and of Lodge No. 355, B.P.O. Elks, of Shamokin. He is independent in politics and has taken considerable interest in local affairs, having held various public offices. At present he is serving as tax collector of Little Mahanoy township. ROSS. The Rosses of Lower Augusta and Rockefeller townships in Northumberland county belong to the historic family of Scottish origin founded in this country about 1756 by four brothers, George, William, John and Joseph Ross, natives of Scotland, all of whom served with distinction,. in the Revolution, making long and meritorious records as supporters of the cause of freedom. They were personally acquainted with General Washington. Betsy Ross, the Philadelphia damsel who made the first American flag, adopted by Congress at Washington's suggestion, was of this family, a daughter of one George Ross, who settled at Philadelphia and was a soldier in the Revolution. The Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. I, page 385, show that George Ross was the owner of a ship known as the brig "Mary," fifty tons, registered Nov. 23, 1762. On Jan. 11, 1776, George Ross was appointed adjutant of Col. Arthur St. Claire's 2d Pennsylvania Battalion, which was in service from January, 1776, to January, 1777. He resigned this commission July 1, 1776, and was promoted to lieutenant of marines with the rank of ensign. On July 4, 1776, delegates from t Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 782 thru 798 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck. Tar2@psu.edu USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. FRED C. LINDERMAN, one of the proprietors of the well known Antlers Cafe, in Shamokin, Pa., is of German origin, his ancestors first settling in Bucks county, Pa., upon coming to America. John Linderman, the great-grandfather of Fred C., was born in Bucks county, Pa., and removed to Berks county, near Douglassville, where he purchased a farm. In addition to farming he was a charcoal burner and also did weaving. He died upon his farm in Berks county. His children were: Conrad; William; Jacob; John; Martha, and Frederick. Frederick Linderman, grandfather of Fred C., was born in Berks county, near Douglassville, and also followed charcoal burning. He also learned the trade of ship carpenter, which he followed for some time. In 1861 he removed to Schuylkill county, Pa., and in 1868 came to Shamokin, where he was employed in and around the mines. His death occurred in Shamokin. Mr. Linderman married Anna Rhoads, also of Berks county, and they had issue: Mary, who married Eli Mengel; Valina, who married Daniel Christ; William R.; John, of Shamokin; Martha A., who died young; George, deceased; Margaret, who died young; and Isaac of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. William R. Linderman, father of Fred C., was born at Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co., Pa., Sept. 16, 1845. At the early age of twelve he began to work as a boatman on the canal and he followed this work until he enlisted in the Civil war, in the spring of 1862, in Company F, 52d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He saw active service in the Army of the Potomac was twice wounded, was taken prisoner at Charleston, S. C., and was taken to Andersonville prison, where he was held for seven months; he was exchanged in February, 1864, at which time he returned home on a furlough. Later he joined his company and regiment and remained in service until the close of the war, returning home in July, 1865, to Schuylkill Haven, Pa. He followed boating till the fall of 1868, at which time he came to Shamokin, and was employed for three years in the mines. He then spent twenty years with the Pennsylvania Railway Company, in different positions. He is now employed at the Hickory Swamp colliery, at outside work. Mr. Linderman was commander of Lincoln Post, G.A.R., in 1895. He married Phoebe Reed, daughter of Moses and Maria (Kantner) Heed, and they had children as follows: Minnie H., who married John Schmick; Martha A., who is at home; Fred C.; Clarence H. and Herbert W., twins; Frank; Leona, who married Ray Vought, of Shamokin; and Harry B. Fred C. Linderman, son of William B., was born in Shamokin May 22, 1873. He attended the local schools of Shamokin and when quite young began work as a slate picker at the Green Ridge colliery. This he followed until he was END OF PAGE 782 fifteen years of age, at which time he became employed at other work around the collieries, continuing in various positions until he reached the age of twenty-two. He then became a lineman for the Pennsylvania Valley Telephone Company (now the Pennsylvania Telephone Company), by whom he was employed for about four years. He next worked for the Bell Telephone Company for one year, when he became a clerk for Lafayette Trometter, in the hotel business, remaining with him six and a half years. In 1906, in company with Joseph P. Schmidt, he bought out Mr. Trometter's business, which is located at the corner of Washington and Independence streets, in the Elks building, and the place is now known as the Antlers Cafe. It is up- to-date in all things, being among the leading places of its kind in the community. On March 20, 1901, Mr. Linderman married Maggie R Thompson, of Danville, Pa., daughter of John Thompson, and they have one son, John H. Socially he is a member of the local lodge of Elks (No. 355), the Order of Eagles and the Sons of Veterans. JOHN H. RABUCK, stonemason and farmer of Upper Mahanoy township, Northumberland county, was born Sept. 27, 1862, in Washington township, this county, son of Harrison W. and Eliza (Paul) Rabuck. The family name, usually spelled Rebuck, has been perpetuated in this region in the post office Rebuck, named after a member of this well known family, which is especially numerous in Washington township and the surrounding territory. According to tradition the first ancestor of the family in this country was from the German Palatinate and came to America to avoid service in the war then being waged in his native land. The older members of the family say that his name was Schaffer, but that he assumed the name Rebuck to prevent his being traced and taken back to the Fatherland, where punishment for such an offense as his was severe. This pioneer ancestor was known in the New World by the name John Adam Rebuck. He first located in Berks county, whence he came to Northumberland county, settling in Jackson township, in that part now embraced in Washington township. There is the old-established business stand, now for many years conducted and owned by the Kehres family, where the post office and hamlet of Rebuck are located. The hamlet contains about a dozen dwellings. The pioneer was a farmer. Among his children were Valentine, John Adam, Jr., and Michael. Of these, Valentine Rebuck in 1778 was among the taxables of Mahanoy township, which then included considerable territory in the lower end of the county. Michael Rebuck, son of John Adam, the pioneer, was born July 14, 1769, and died Oct. 7, 1852, when over eighty-three years of age. He lived on Greenbrier creek, in Washington township, and was an extensive farmer, following agricultural pursuits all his life. He had a tract of 162 acres which is still in the family name, being now owned by his grandson, John Rebuck. He built the barn still standing on that property, and also a small dwelling house. He was a Reformed member of the Himmel Church. His wife, Catharine (Reis), born Aug. 21, 1775, died Nov. 7, 1858. Their children were: Bevvy, who married Peter Ferster; and Godfried, called "Big Godfried." Godfried Rebuck, Son of Michael, was born July 28, 1798, and died May 29, 1875. He was a tall heavy man, with dark hair, was a farmer by occupation, and owned much land, living on the Greenbrier homestead of the Rebuck family. He and his family worshipped with the Reformed congregation at the Himmel Church, and they are buried there. His wife, Catharine (Wagner), born March 26, 1801, died June 30, 1860. They had children as follows: Salome married John Schreffler; Daniel W. married Lydia Delp; Catharine married Harry Rebuck; Hannah married John Wentzel; Polly married Peter Snyder and (second) Henry Herb; Lydia married Philip Reitz; Harrison W. is mentioned below; Jacob, born in 1837, died unmarried; John, born in 1839 died unmarried, in 1861; Sarah married John Kieffer and (second) Jacob Reber. There were three Godfried Rebucks, known as "Big Godfried," "Little Godfried" and "Red Godfried." The latter, Godfried B. Rebuck, kept the store and post office at Rebuck. Harrison W. Rebuck, son of Godfried, was born July 12, 1834, and was a farmer during his active years. He moved from Washington township to Eldred township, Schuylkill county, thence to Jordan township, this county, and then to Mifflin township, Dauphin Co., Pa., in 1881 returning thence to Northumberland county and locating in Jordan township again. From there he returned to Dauphin county, settling near Gratztown, in Lykens township. He now lives at Herndon, Pa., with his son J. Wilson Rebuck. During the Civil war he was in the Union service as a member of Company K, 172d Regiment for nine months. He married Elizabeth Paul, who died in September, 1904, in her seventy-second year, and they had children: John H., James, Elmira L., Augustus, J., Wilson and Reilly. John H. Rabuck attended the common schools of Jordan township and later those of Mifflin township, Dauphin county. But he was obliged to begin work early, leaving school during the panic of 1873 and beginning to learn the trade of stone mason. As the hard times did not seem to lessen in severity be left Dauphin county, where his parents were then living, for a time. END OF PAGE 783 In 1888 he first came to the farm where he now lives, in Upper Mahanoy township, a tract of sixty-six acres which formerly belonged to Andrew Snyder, who built the present house there. In the earlier days it was owned by Heinrich Schadel, whose son William succeeded him, and during William Schadel's ownership of the place all the buildings on the premises were destroyed by fire. Mr. Rabuck and his father built the barn. John H. Rabuck has owned this farm since 1904. He is a thrifty and successful farmer, and he has become one of the substantial and. respected citizens of his neighborhood, where he is very popular, being a man of intelligence and well read, with an interesting personality which draws many friends to him. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., belonging to Lodge No. 637, of Klingerstown, and in religion is a Lutheran; holding membership in the Hebe Church. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Rabuck's travels and varied experiences have given him a broad out look on affairs affecting the general welfare, in which he is much interested. He retains many traits developed during his roving life, and he is one of the best climbers anywhere in his section. Elias F. Rebuck; a farmer in Upper Mahanoy township, was born there Feb. 23, 1842, son of Samuel Rebuck and grandson of John Rebuck. The latter was a farmer in the same township, owning what is now the property of David Paul. He is buried at the Himmel Church. By his first wife, Catharine Brosius; he had seven children: Samuel, David, Catharine, Godlieb, Gabriel, Polly and John. His second marriage was to Catharine Thomas, by whom he. had three children, Elias, Daniel and Anna. By his third wife, Elizabeth (Druckenmiller), there were no children. His three wives are buried at the Himmel Church. Samuel Rebuck, son of John, was born June 17, 1810, and died March 30, 1882, where his son Elias now lives. He is buried at the Salem Church, of which he was a Reformed member, and served as deacon and elder of his congregation. He followed farming during his active years where David S. Paul now lives, in Upper Mahanoy township, and in his earlier life also engaged in shoemaking. He owned a tract of land at Seven Points. He was a public-spirited man, and served his township as school director and supervisor. His wife, whose maiden name was Brosius, was born March 5, 1809, and died Feb. 23, 1894. To them were born children as follows: Rosina married William Heim; Lydia married Elias Ochs; Mary died unmarried; John married Elizabeth Ossman; Samuel married Lovina Kehres; Elias F. is mentioned below; Polly married Daniel Schlegel; Kate married Nathan Steely; Amelia married William Kutz. Elias F. Rebuck had limited advantages for securing an education in the subscription schools conducted in the vicinity of his early home. He was reared to farm life, and began farming for himself in the spring of 1877 at the place where he has since continued to reside, a farm of 114 acres in Upper Mahanoy township, originally an Orendorf homestead, later owned by John Eisenhart, Heinrich Fetter and Samuel Rebuck, successively, before it passed into the present ownership. A fine frame dwelling Mr. Rebuck erected in 1906 replaced an old log house which had stood for over one hundred years. In 1879 Mr. Rebuck married Sarah Snyder, daughter of Levi Snyder, now the oldest resident of Upper Mahanoy township, and they have had children as follows: Meda C. (Mrs. John Baum), Mary A., Samuel Henry, Rosa C., Katie C., Charles Elias and Lulu E. Mr. Rebuck is a member of the Salem (Herb) Church, of which he was an elder for six years; his wife belongs to the Lutheran congregation of that church. Politically Mr. Rebuck is a Democrat. BERTRAM GALBRAITH, business man of Milton and present tax receiver for that borough, is a native of that place and a member of the third generation of Galbraiths to live there. The members of this family have borne high reputation for integrity and ability. in the conduct of all their enterprises, and in his active and many-sided life he has proved a typical representative of the name he bears. The family of Galbraith has long been established in America, and in the old country dates back to the remote antiquity of Scotland. The name is derived from the Celtic and originally belonged to the Lennox in that country. The Galbraith chiefs had their residence in the parish of Baldernoch. The Galbraiths of the isle of Ghiga descended from those of Baldernoch, as may be traced in the ancient records, having fled thither with Lord James Stewart, youngest son of Murdoch, Duke of Albany, from the Lennox, after burning Dumbarton, in the reign of James I. of Scotland. They continued to hold that island until after 1500. The following lines from the Scotch show the estimate in which the name was held: Galbraiths from the Red Tower, Noblest of Scottish surnames. There is now a small island in Scotland called "Inch (Island) Galbraith." Upon it are many ruins of castles and villages, the strongholds built by the clan when war was the rule. When Hon. W. A. Galbraith, of Erie, Pa., was traveling in Scotland, hearing that a family by the same name lived close to where he stopped, he went to call on them. He had with him a coat of arms preserved by the family in America, which he showed them, and they immediately produced END OF PAGE 784 a precise counterpart, the arms showing three bears heads, muzzled, on a shield surmounted by a knight's helmet and crest with the motto, which, translated, is, "Stronger from opposition." Thus the origin of the family is established without doubt. James Galbraith, the first of the line under consideration to settle in America, was born in 1650 in the North of Ireland, son of John Galbraith, and emigrated in 1718 with his family, settling in Donegal, Lancaster Co., Pa. He was a man of influence and prominence in his day, and was among the founders of the old Derry Church, in what is now Dauphin county, Pa., near Derry station, and is buried in the old graveyard of that church. He died Aug. 23, 1744. The first regular pastor of this church, Rev. William Bertram, died May 2, 1746, and is buried near the church. Rebecca (Chambers), wife of James Galbraith, was a daughter of Arthur Chambers, who with the Allen, Allison, Armstrong, Boyd, Berryhill, Barnet, Bell, Black, Campbell, Clark, Carother, Cram, Carson, Calhoun, Craig, Caldwell, Cunningham, Cochran, Dixon, Dickey, Dougherty, Elder, Espy, Foster, Ferguson, Gilmore, Goven, Gray, Graham, Galbraith, Henderson, Hays, Hampton, Jones, Johnson, Kelley, Laird, McCormick, McClure, MeNair, McKeehan, Mitchel, Murray, McKee, McCreight, McDonald, McArthur, McMurriay, McKnight, Montgomery, Ramsey, Rogers, Rutherford, Reed, Sloan, Sterrett, Snedgrass, Strain, Stewart, Smith, Simpson, Sturgeon, Todd, Wilson, Wallace and McMahan families settled in the district just referred to between 1720 and 1730. Five children were born to James and Rebecca (Chambers) Galbraith, viz.: John, Andrew, James, Jr., Elenor (married Patrick McKinley) and Rebecca (married a Stewart). John Galbraith, son of James, born in 1690, resided where the Mount Joy and Marietta turnpikes cross Donegal run; he owned a large tract of land. He was elected sheriff of Lancaster county in 1731 and was a prominent man in his locality. He died in 1754. In 1757 Janet, his widow, and James Galbraith, sold the mill which he built to John Baley. Andrew Galbraith, son of James, born in 1692, lived near his brother John; his home being on the Little Chicques creek. When Lancaster county was organized he was appointed the first coroner and he and his brother John were members of the first jury drawn. In 1730 he was appointed one of the justices of the peace and of the Common Pleas court, which position he filled with honor until 1745. In 1732 he was elected a member of the Assembly in a spirited contest, in which his wife took an active part. Mounting her mare "Nelly" she rode around among the Scotch-Irish who followed her to Lancaster, to the polls, where she addressed them most effectually. He was afterward reelected without opposition, serving several terms in succession. James Galbraith, Jr., was born in the North of Ireland in 1703, and died June 11, 1785, in East Pennsboro township, Cumberland county; he is buried in the Derry graveyard. He took up a tract of land in what is now Derry township, Dauphin county, on Spring creek, not far from the Church Oleon, the warrant therefore being granted him March 13, 1737. The early Provincial records of Pennsylvania speak frequently of him, for he was prominent in military circles and served in 1742-43 as sheriff of Lancaster county, where he was also justice of the peace for many years. He took an active part in the French and Indian war, serving as an officer from 1755 to 1763, and during the Revolutionary war, in which all his sons served, he was appointed lieutenant for Cumberland county, being too old for active duty in the field; his long experience as an officer gave him considerable prestige and authority, and he was frequently consulted during the Revolution on matters pertaining to the prosecution of that war. On April 6, 1734, James Galbraith married, in Christ Church, Philadelphia, Elizabeth Bertram, who was born in 1714 in the North of Ireland, only daughter of Rev. William and Elizabeth (Gillispie) Bertram. Mrs. Galbraith died Feb. 2, 1799, in Derry township, Dauphin county, the mother of the following children: William, Bertram, Robert, Doreas, Elizabeth, Thomas, John and Ann. Robert Galbraith's daughter Rebecca married Ephraim Blain, commissary general of purchases during the Revolutionary war, who was the grandfather of the late James G. Blame. Bertram Galbraith, second son of James Galbraith, Jr., was first lieutenant in Lancaster county during the Revolution, doing excellent service for his country in that capacity. By his first wife, a daughter of Josiah Strong, of Donegal, he had nine children, the eldest son being Josiah, great-grandfather of the present Bertram Galbraith, of Milton. Of the others, Harriet married a Hoffman and died at Williamsport, Pa.; Mary Ann married Charles Maus, of Mausdale, Montour Co., Pa. Bertram Galbraith's second marriage was to Henrietta Huling, of Benvenue, Dauphin Co., Pa., and they had two children: Sarah, who married Samuel Morris, of Philadelphia, and Bertram Gillespie, who married Eliza Fagar Bell, of Harrisburg. Josiah Galbraith, son of Bertram, married and had two sons, one of whom was Bertram, grandfather of Bertram Galbraith, of Milton. Josiah Galbraith settled in Clinton county, Iowa, became wealthy, and died there, many of his descendants still residing in that section, all of his family but Bertram going out to Iowa at an early day. Bertram Galbraith, son of Josiah, was the grand-father of the present Bertram Galbraith of END OF PAGE 785 Milton, Northumberland County. He was born in 1808 in Lancaster county, near the Dauphin county line, and when a young man came to Northumberland county, being the founder of the family in this locality. He settled at Milton, where he passed the remainder of his days. A man of large build, six feet, two inches in his stocking feet and weighing two hundred pounds, he had a forceful personality, but he was as well known for his intelligence and strong character as he was for his physical make-up. He was a distiller by trade, but did not follow that occupation long, being for many years the owner of three boats on the west branch of the canal, and also engaging in other business and serving in public office. He was in the insurance business at Milton for many years. He served as constable and tax collector, and was at one time a candidate for sheriff of the county. In political sentiment he was a Whig. There were few better known residents of the county in his day. He died Sept. 26, 1862, aged fifty-four years, fifteen days, and is buried at Milton. Mr. Galbraith's first marriage was to Elizabeth Blue, who was born in 1812, sister of Sheriff Frederick Blue, of Montour county. She died Oct. 30, 1851, aged thirty-nine years, two months, leaving four children: Huling, who served in the Civil war in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and died unmarried (he is buried at Milton, Pa.); Mary Ellen, deceased, who married James B. Miller, and resided in Milton; Emma J., who married Albert Cooper, of Philadelphia; and William B. For his second wife Mr. Galbraith married his cousin, Mary Rosetta Galbraith, who was born Dec. 16, 1824, daughter of James Galbraith, who settled at Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Pa. By this union there were three children: Laura, widow of Harry B. Geissinger, who was employed in the custom house at Philadelphia (he died in May, 1910); Horace, who died young; and Bertram S., who lives at Milton, Pa. The mother died Oct. 9, 1903. William B. Galbraith, son of Bertram and Elizabeth (Blue) Galbraith; was born in Milton Sept. 19, 1836, on Lower Market street, directly opposite the house in which he resided from 1893 to 1909. He attended the public schools and Milton Academy, which in those days was taught by Rev. P. T. Bucher, but he began work early, being for three years in the employ of W. F. Nagle, for many years the town's leading merchant, whose store was on the site now occupied by the "Bartram" apartment building (Mr. Galbraith lived in the "Bartram" from 1909 until his death). He was still a boy when he took charge of his father's boating interests on the canal, along the west branch of the Susquehanna. He continued in this line for a number of years, running the business on his own account after his father died, until the fall of 1866. In 1878 he commenced the insurance business, to which he ever afterward gave the greater part of his attention. He first represented the Watertown Company of New York, which was later merged into the Sun Company, and he was one of the first agents in this country for the Sun Insurance Office, of London. From 1900 Mr. Galbraith had his son Bertram as partner in this business, the firm name being William B. Galbraith & Son. He built up a most profitable patronage, which he handled with skill and to the satisfaction of his patrons, who extended over a wide radius in this section of the county. On Jan. 1, 1868, Mr. Galbraith married Mary Ann Hause, daughter of George and Mary (Keefer) Hause, and they had five children: Bertram, a daughter that died in infancy, Maude, Albert C. (a traveling salesman and partner in firm of Bertram Galbraith & Bro.), and Blanch (born in 1874, who died in 1881). Mr. Galbraith was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred May 22, 1911, and he was buried in Harmony cemetery. Bertram Galbraith, eldest son of William B. Galbraith, was born Oct. 25, 1864, in Milton, and there received his education in the public schools. Shortly after the great fire of 1880 he became a messenger for the American Union Telegraph Company, this company later becoming the Western Union. When eighteen years old he commenced business with Charles E. Brownell, of Williamsport, their first location being in the Cadwallader building, on Broadway. They did business under the name of Brownell & Galbraith, and dealt in fruits. They were among the pioneers in the daily paper line, the first paper they handled being the Philadelphia Record, the second the Williamsport Breakfast Table, and gradually they came to handle almost all the leading Philadelphia and New York papers, Mr. Galbraith still dealing in this line. In April, 1881, Mr. Galbraith accepted the position of night operator at the telephone exchange, where he remained for nearly three years, meantime also continuing his business and attending high school, and he was very well known to his many patrons as Milton's young news agent and rising business man. In 1882 Brownell & Galbraith put up a frame building at the corner of Front street and Broadway, where they established their business, and shortly after their removal to that location Mr. Brownell retired from the association, Mr. Galbraith continuing the business alone with the success which has attended all his efforts until 1903, when his brother became a partner in the firm, which is now Bertram Galbraith & Bro. For many years he was located at the corner of Broadway and Front street, on leased ground. When the rent, however, was increased ten dollars per month, being raised from twenty-five to thirty-five dollars, he would not pay it, and to secure another business location END OF PAGE 786 he purchased the "Globe Hotel" Property, Corner of Broadway and Arch streets. He moved his frame Structure to the new location bodily (leaving the old stand March 22, 1909), without taking any of his goods out doing business all the time his building was on the move, and had electric lights every night. On each end of the building was a sign, "It's cheaper to move than pay the rent." It was located next to his apartment house, the "Bartram." He improved both the store and the stock, which is now comprehensive, including a fine line of cigars and tobacco, sporting goods, newspapers and supplies, for which he holds a steady demand. As stated, Mr. Galbraith purchased the valuable property at the Corner of Arch and Broadway owned for many years by the Fonda estate and occupied by the "Globe Hotel" and he has improved the place until it is now one of the best appointed apartment houses of its size in Northumberland county. In addition to his other enterprises, Mr. Galbraith has been interested in the insurance business for the past ten years, having been in partnership with his father, as junior member of the firm of William B. Galbraith & Son, now W. B. Galbraith's Sons. In 1906 Mr. Galbraith was elected tax receiver of the borough of Milton, and was reelected in 1909, without opposition, an honor which is sufficient comment on the value of his services and the satisfaction they have given to his fellow citizens generally. He is a Republican in political sentiment. Mr. Galbraith is widely known socially. He was the first dealer in bicycles in this section and became an expert rider, winning many prizes in local contests, and he was a well known long distance rider when bicycling was at its height, the newspapers having made many of his trips famous. He was a member of the old Century Wheelmen of Philadelphia. Athletics generally have always claimed his interest. He was the owner and manager of the Milton Base Ball Club from 1902 to 1904, and in 1905, with a few other citizens of Milton, formed an association known as the Milton Athletic Association, which acquired its base-ball park through Mr. Galbraith's efforts, it being presented to the team. Mr. Galbraith holds membership in Milton Lodge, No. 913, B.P.O. Elks (charter member), Lodge No. 84., I.O.O.F., the F.O.E., Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Arcanum. He attends the Presbyterian Church. His numerous relations, social, business, fraternal, etc., make him a valued correspondent for various newspapers, including several of the leading Philadelphia papers. He makes his home with his parents. REITZ. This is a name now numerously represented in Washington, Little Mahanoy and Lower Augusta townships, as well as in various other portions of Northumberland county, founded in that section in the middle of the eighteenth century by one George Reitz, who settled in Washington township among the earliest pioneers of that region. The members of the family from that time to the present have been ranked among the substantial, respected, public-spirited and altogether desirable citizens of this favored community, prospering by industry, supporting the churches and all enterprises which have for their object the uplifting of their fellow men and the advancement of the general welfare, and in their individual lives upholding the best traditions of their forefathers who helped to found the best institutions of this part of Pennsylvania. George Reitz, the pioneer of this family in Northumberland county, settled in Washington township among its earliest residents and was a large landowner there, his original tract including the land now embraced in the farms of Luther Rebuck, William Rebuck, Harvey Rothermel, Charles B. Hetrich and A. C. Adams. He is buried in an unmarked grave near a fence, in the orchard on the farm now owned by C. B. Hetrich. Among his children were sons Andraes and Michael, Andraes (Andrew) Reitz, son of George, was born at Swabian Creek, in Washington township, Jan. 1, 1755, and there passed his life, owning and occupying the original homestead of his father, the place where George Reitz lived, died and found his resting place. He followed farming. He married Maria Margaretha Brosius, born May 17, 1761, who died Oct. 20, 1826, and his death occurred March 16, 1837. They are buried at Himmel's Church. Among their children were: George, Jacob, Johan Nicholas, Philip, John, Margaret (married Daniel Hoch), Lydia (married Michael Smith), Susan (married George Tryon or Treon), and two other daughters whose names are not given. Philip Reitz, son of Andraes, was born Feb. 4, 1805, in Washington township, and died Sept. 1, 1875. He owned and lived upon the farm which is now the property of Cornelius Adams, and there all his children were born and reared and there his death occurred. He married Anna Wagner, who was born Oct. 5, 1807, and died Feb. 22, 1866. They are buried at Himmel's Church, of which church both were Lutheran members. Their children were as follows: Daniel lived and died at Tower City, Schuylkill county; Jacob lived and died at Watsontown, this county; Harrison is mentioned below; Peter was killed while serving in the Civil war, at the fall of Richmond; Andrew lives in Oklahoma; Elias died young; Eliza married Samuel Reitz; Mary married Frank Rebuck; Susan married Emanuel Conrad; Lydia died young. Harrison Reitz, son of Philip, was born Jan. 18, 1835, in Swabian Creek, and lived in his native END OF PAGE 787 township until after his marriage, moving across the Mahanoy mountain into Lower Augusta township when he was about thirty-five years old. Here he has since made his home, following farming. He owns two tracts in the township, one of thirty-seven acres (upon which he resides) and one of eighteen acres, with a substantial set of buildings upon his home tract. Mr. Reitz is a Democrat and has served his township two years as supervisor. In religion he is a Lutheran, and he has taken his share of the church work, having served as deacon, elder and trustee. In 1867 Mr. Reitz married Sarah Reit Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 827 thru 834 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck. Tar2@psu.edu USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. FRANK X. KLAUS, of Locust Gap, in Mount Carmel township, is proprietor of the "American House" at that place and in that and other associations well known in his section of Northumberland county, being one of the local leaders of the Democratic party. His hotel stand is the leading place of the kind at Locust Gap. Mr. Klaus was born at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., June 4, 1867, son of Frank Klaus. The father was born in Germany, and came to America when a young man, settling in Schuylkill county, where he lived at Minersville and St. Clair. In 1873 he came to Locust Gap, Northumberland county, where he followed his trade, that of blacksmith, and where he died in 1889; he is buried at Locust Gap. His wife, whose maiden name was Matilda Hipp, is still living at Locust Gap, now (1910) aged seventy-six years. They were the parents of a large family, namely: Catherine (deceased), Stephen (deceased), Edward (deceased), Frank X., Joseph (deceased), Michael, Martha, Theresa, Rossie, Matilda and Mary. Frank X. Klaus worked at the mines for a number of years before entering his present line of business. He began as a slate picker when but eight years old, afterward worked as door tender and was employed in different capacities inside, in time becoming boss loader inside. After two years at that he left the mines to engage in the hotel business, in 1896, and since 1900 he has been at his present location. The "American House" is on the Helfenstein road, across the bridge, and is well patronized, Mr. Klaus having the custom of a substantial element in his community. As a leading worker in the local ranks of the Democratic party Mr. Klaus is well known in the township and county, having served as county committeeman and as delegate to the State convention. He has served two terms (six years) as school director of Mount Carmel township, and during that time was president of the board one year and treasurer two years. Socially he belongs to the Eagles (at Mount Carmel) and the Foresters. He is a member of the Catholic Church and also of the Holy Name Society. By his first marriage Mr. Klaus has a son, Francis Joseph. His second marriage was to Margaret T. Melody. SIEGFRIED WASHINGTON ZIMMERMAN, of Little Mahanoy township, Northumberland county, comes of a family which for many years has been identified with Berks and Schuylkill counties. Sebastian Zimmerman, his grandfather, was born in Berks county, whence when a boy he moved with his father, who, it would appear, had a farm at the upper end of the Deep creek, where Sebastian was reared. He was a weaver by trade, and owned a loom, but he was likewise a prosperous farmer, owning several farms in Upper Mahantango township, Schuylkill county. The one there on which he lived was formerly owned by Benjamin Peifer and is now owned by a Hepler; another was owned by Jacob and Abraham Blasser, of Herndon, until 1907. Removing to Cameron township, Northumberland county, he lived there some years, moving to the Mahantango valley, where he farmed until his death. He was a foremost member of the Lutheran congregation of Salem Church, known as Herb Church, located near Rough and Ready, serving as elder and trustee, and he and his wife are buried at that church. During the war of 1812 he was a soldier, and he was one of the pensioners of that war. Sebastian Zimmerman married Elizabeth Klock, daughter of Peter Klock, and they had children as follows: Joseph, a farmer, who settled at Red Bank, Jefferson Co., Pa., was twice married and had children; Elizabeth married a Bliss; Catharine married George C. Peifer; Salome married Mr. Kline, and they moved to Jefferson county; Lydia married a Snyder; Sebastian, born in 1829, lives at Sunbury, this county; George is mentioned below: Esther married Joel Daniel. George Zimmerman, son of Sebastian, was born in Schuylkill county, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until he entered the army. During the Civil war he was drafted for nine months' service, and at the expiration of this term enlisted for three years, from the Mahantango Valley. He was shot while on picket duty and removed to the hospital on Long Island, where he died six weeks after being wounded; he is buried on Long Island. Mr. Zimmerman married Elizabeth Harter, daughter of Matthias Harter, whose wife's name was Eister. Mrs. Zimmerman is buried at Little Mahanoy. Five children were born to them: S. Washington; Fietta, who died young; Joel, of Eldred township, Schuylkill county; Jonathan, of Cass county, Mo.; and Monroe, of Snyder county, Pennsylvania. Siegfried Washington Zimmerman, son of George, was born Sept. 18, 1855, in the Mahantango valley, Schuylkill county. He received his education in the common schools and when eighteen years old took up the carpenter's trade, which he has followed ever since. In 1872 he had come to Little Mahanoy township, Northumberland END OF PAGE 827 county, living at Dornsife, in that township, until his marriage. He became boss carpenter, and for some years was busy erecting houses and barns in Shamokin, Sunbury and the surrounding districts. Since April, 1909, he has been engaged as carpenter for the Trevorton Coal Land Company. He has prospered at his trade, and owns real estate at Sunbury, where he built a house in 1908 at the corner of State and Broad streets. His large frame residence near Hunter Station (on the Reading railroad), in Little Mahanoy township, he erected in the fall of 1889, and has occupied it ever since. Mr. Zimmerman has served the township as assessor for twelve years, and as school director for three years. He is a Democrat in political affiliation. On June 7, 1878, Mr. Zimmerman married Alice Peifer, daughter of Elias Peifer, and they have had two children, George Elmer and Harvey Clayton. George Elmer Zimmerman is a lumber merchant at Shamokin; he married Carrie Dunkelberger and has one child, C. Myrtle. Harvey Clayton Zimmerman, a student at the institution at New Berlin, Pa., taught music before taking up his classical course. Mr. Zimmerman and his family are Lutheran members of Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church at Little Mahanoy, of which he was deacon eight years and elder two years. They have also been active in the work of the Sunday school, in which he has been a teacher from boyhood, was at one time treasurer, secretary for some years and superintendent for a number of years. Thus it will he seen that his usefulness has carried him into several fields of general interest, in all of which he has done his share as a good member of society. CHARLES F. REICK, of the Monarch Steam Laundry, Shamokin, has established a standard for excellence in his line which would make him a successful competitor for the patronage of any community. The support his enterprise has received shows how well his up-to-date methods and high-class work are appreciated. Mr. Reick's experience in the matter of laundry equipment prior to his entering the business on his own account gave him a distinct advantage at the start but his continued success should be credited to his own efforts. Mr. Reick was born at Trevorton, Northumberland county, Sept. 2, 1858, son of George Reick, a native of Würtemberg, Germany, who came to America in 1840. In his native land George Reick was engaged as foreman in a silk mill. On coming to America he landed at New York, but came on to Schuylkill county, Pa., where be began mining, an occupation which he continued to follow until his death. In 1849 he moved to Trevorton, making a permanent home there. He died Jan. 5, 1869. His wife, Catherine (Fisher), died at Williamsport, Pa. They had the following children: George, William, Dora, Polly, Amelia, Charles F., and three who died in infancy. Charles F. Reick received his education in the public schools of Trevorton. He was only a boy when be commenced work in the mines, being employed at the North Franklin and Red Ash collieries. He followed this work until he was twenty years old, when he went to Ashland with William Lauderfield, with whom he learned the carpenter's trade. Going to Williamsport he was engaged by the Williamsport Furniture Company for one year, after which he commenced carpentering and building on his own account at that place, continuing it for some time. He next entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railway Company as a bridge builder. Returning to Williamsport he became foreman for A. A. Artley, a well known contractor, with whom he was associated for five years, since when he has been identified with the laundry business. Entering the service of the Lloyd Laundry and Shirt Manufacturing Company, at Williamsport, he continued with that concern for the long period of twenty-two years, during which time his work took him into twenty-seven States, principally in the South. For six years be was at Charleston, S. C. Mr. Reick's specialty was the equipment and establishment of laundries, in which he was very successful, his judgment in the requirements of such plants being found most reliable by all who trusted to it. He has, in all, fitted up twenty-eight laundries, the success of which has demonstrated the practical value of his ideas in this field of industry. In 1902 he located on his father-in-law's farm at Catawissa, Pa., but after three years he returned to his old line, in 1905 settling in Shamokin, where he has since run the Monarch Steam Laundry, having leased it from F. A. Schreadley in April, 1905. Under his management the equipment of this plant is naturally the most convenient known to the trade. With his wide knowledge of laundry machinery be was able to select the most reliable and economical devices invented for turning out the finest grade of work, with the result that Shamokin has exceptional laundry facilities, such as are enjoyed by few places of its size, and which can be excelled nowhere. The Monarch Steam Laundry is the best equipped plant of its size in the State, Mr. Reick having built and fitted every part of it himself, from the dry room to the laying of the steam pipes, the setting of the boiler and the installing of the machinery, no expense having been spared in any department. He had had the task of establishing it, two years before he became the lessee, so that he knew exactly what he was doing when it came into his hands. The equipment includes two 250-shirt washers, an extractor, Bishop starcher, thirty-gallon starch kettle, body ironer, neckband and END OF PAGE 828 wristband ironer, collar shaper, economic collar and cuff starcher, forty-inch five-roll Hagan mangle and cuff machine, Hagan bosom ironer and a 160-inch five-roll Hagan mangle with a capacity of ten thousand pieces a day. A Hercules dry room, built after Mr. Reick's own plans, will dry 1,500 collars or 100 shirts in twelve minutes. The upper floors of the plant are devoted to the cleaning of woolen blankets and lace curtains. Employment is given to eleven people. The best supplies are used and the utmost care is taken in the handling of all pieces, with the result that the laundry enjoys high popularity and corresponding prosperity. Mr. Reick married Mary Bude, daughter of Augustus Bude, of Catawissa, Pa., and they have had three children, Martha, Edna and George. The eldest daughter, Martha, is the wife of Thomas Nolan, and has had three children, William (deceased), Herbert T. and Rosie. Mr. Reick and his family live upon his stock farm of fifty-eight acres at Paxinos. He is a member of the United Brethren Church. MARTIN LUTHER HENDRICKS, deceased, who until his death had been engaged in business in Sunbury from 1880 as a wholesale dealer in wines and liquors, was also well known as the owner of one of the largest and finest collections of Indian relics in his section of Pennsylvania. The house in which he lived has been remodeled and improved, but it is the oldest dwelling in Sunbury, having been built in 1775. He was of the fourth or fifth generation of his family to reside in this region, his great-grandfather, Tobias Hendrick, having come to Snyder county from York county, Pa., in an early day, and Fort Hendrick, at Kreamer, Snyder county, was named after his father. Samuel Hendrick, son of Tobias, was born in Penn township, Northumberland (now Snyder) Co., Pa., and is buried at Row's church, in Snyder county, to which he gave twenty acres of ground with the provision that "no Hendrick should be refused burial in the cemetery of Row's Church." The transfer of the deed is recorded in the courthouse at Sunbury. Samuel Hendrick was a prosperous farmer, owning a large tract which is now divided into three farms, all lying around Row's church. He married Elizabeth DeWees, who long survived him, and who upon her second marriage, to George Boger, sold the homestead (to a man named Look) and moved to Sunbury. Samuel and Elizabeth Hendrick had one son, Benjamin, the father of Martin Luther Hendricks. The members of the Hendricks family generally have been tall and of athletic build. Benjamin Hendricks, son of Samuel, was born in Snyder county Sept. 25, 1811, received a common school education, and learned the trade of cigarmaker. He was quite young when he went to Sunbury, in 1824, living there in a house which stood near the present site of the residence of John Haas. His active years were spent principally at farming, merchandising and the manufacture of lime, and he prospered, at one time owning what is known as the Hunter farm, on which Fort Augusta was located, and also owning a good plantation in Caroline county, Va., which he bought after the Civil war. After his wife's death he lived on that property with his son, dying there in 1883. He was a director of the Sunbury, Hazleton & Wilkes-Barre Railroad Company during the construction of its road, which is now owned by the Pennsylvania Company, retaining that connection until the road came under the new ownership. Benjamin Hendricks married Ann Maria Shindel, who was born in Sunbury, Pa., daughter of Rev. John Peter Shindel, and she died Dec. 9, 1877, aged sixty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks are buried in Pomfret Manor cemetery, at Sunbury. They were members of the Lutheran church. To them were born twelve children, six sons and six daughters, viz. Samuel S. is deceased; William M. is deceased; Jacob S. is a resident of Virginia; Elizabeth D. married Hon. S. P. Wolverton, one of the foremost citizens of Northumberland county; Martin Luther is mentioned below; Susan Ann died at Allentown, of spotted fever; Louisa married M. R. Hemperly, a photographer, of Philadelphia; Mary S. (deceased) married Samuel Faust, of Sunbury; Catharine Y. died young; Isaac N. is a resident of Sunbury; John Peter S. is deceased; Ann Maria makes her home with her sister Mrs. Wolverton. Martin Luther Hendricks was born June 4, 1843, in Sunbury, and there began his education in the pay schools which were common in his boyhood. Later he went to what is now Susquehanna University, at Selinsgrove, and to Wittenberg College, at Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio, graduating from the latter institution in 1872. Since then he had been a resident of Sunbury, and in 1880 became engaged in the wholesale liquor business, being the first dealer of the kind in the borough. In that year he and his brother-in-law, B. F. Bright, became associated under the business name of B. F. Bright, and were in business together until Mr. Bright's death, in July, 1907, after which Mr. Hendricks carried on the business alone until his death. He carried a large and well assorted stock of wines and liquors, and had a large trade, built up by straight dealing and honorable business methods. Mr. Hendricks' death occurred June 21, 1911, at his home in Sunbury. As previously mentioned, Mr. Hendricks was the possessor of one of the largest and finest collections of Indian relics possessed by any one in his section, about twenty thousand specimens in END OF PAGE 829 all, and his collections of beads, bracelets and similar articles is the largest owned by any one person in Pennsylvania. Northumberland county was the home of Shikellimy, the most famous Indian chief of his day, and Mr. Hendricks was always deeply interested in his story and in local history generally, especially of the early days, when the red men were still in this section. In 1858 he dug up the remains of the famous chief, who had been interred above Fort Augusta, the public road now passing over the site of his grave; he had been given a Christian burial by one of the noted Moravian ministers of the day. When Mr. Hendricks disinterred his body he also found many Indian relics, pipes, beads, tomahawks, paint and paint cups, bracelets, a horse pistol, etc., all of which have been carefully preserved. On Aug. 6, 1878, Mr. Hendricks married Esther Amelia Bright, daughter of George and Sarah (Weiss) Bright. They had no children. They resided at Woodlawn avenue and Third street, Sunbury, in a house which was originally built by George Sherwood, from Philadelphia, in 1775, the oldest house now standing in Sunbury. It is one and a half stories high, and built of logs, which are now, however, covered with weather-boards. TIMOTHY NEARY, proprietor of the "Pennsylvania House" at Gowen City, in Cameron township, Northumberland county, was born in the borough of Shamokin July 28, 1853, and is of Irish descent. His grandfather, James Neary, settled in New York State upon his emigration from Ireland, and there passed the remainder of his life. James Neary, son of James Neary and father of Timothy Neary, was born in Ireland and was a young man when he came to America. He first lived in New York State after his arrival in this country and was there engaged at day labor. Coming later to Shamokin, Northumberland Co., Pa., he was employed at the mines. He died at Shamokin. To James Neary and his wife Mary (Kennedy) were horn children as follows: Maria, Timothy, James, Bridget, Eliza and John. Timothy Neary obtained his education in the public schools of Shamokin. When a boy he began work as so many of the youth of the region did, as slate picker. He was thus employed at the Locust Gap and Cameron collieries for some time, and later tended door and loaded cars before he began cutting coal. He followed this work for fifteen years, most of the time employed at the Cameron colliery, and in 1892 retired from mining. He has since been engaged in the hotel business. For several years he carried it on in Shamokin, in April, 1902, buying his present stand at Gowen City from Elias Gonser. This hotel was built by Peter Weikel in 1852, and was the first in the district. The business has been enlarged and the service improved under Mr. Neary's proprietorship, and he has a profitable patronage, which be has gained and held by his accommodating and business-like methods. He is a well known and respected citizen, and occupies an honorable place among the substantial residents of his community. Mr. Neary married Bridget Golden, daughter of James Golden, and to them were born two children: Mary, who is now the wife of Joseph Yeager and has two children, Mary C. and Elleanora; and John, at home. Mrs. Neary died Sept. 13, 1896, and is buried at Shamokin. Socially Mr. Neary belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In religion he is a Catholic; a member of St. Edward's Church, and in politics a Democrat. HENRY J. DONMAYER, a farmer of Washington township, Northumberland county, was born May 22, 1856, in Jordan township, son of Davis and Catharine (Geise) Donmayer. According to family tradition four Donmayer brothers came from the Fatherland and located in Berks county, Pa., one of them, Nicholas, locating across the Blue Mountains in the territory which in 1771 became part of Pine Grove township, Schuylkill (then Berks) county. His name on the first assessment list, made in 1772, appears as Nicholas Dornmeier. From him descended Henry Donmayer, the grandfather of Henry J. Donmayer, of Washington township, Northumberland county. Another of the four brothers, Peter "Dornmeyer" settled in Greenwich township, Berks county. In 1790 he had one son under sixteen years old, a wife, and three daughters. His occupation was farming. Milton T. Donmayer, a prominent and influential citizen of Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., is a descendant of Peter through Benjamin Donmayer (1799-1864), who was born in Longswamp township, Berks county, and died in Union township, Lebanon county. He was a farmer in Maxatawny township, Berks county until 1845, when he sold out and moved to Lebanon county. His wife Hannah (Gernant) bore him the following children: Catharine, William, Lewis, Maria, Franklin, Susan, Rudolph, Milton T (born in 1848) and Isaac (who died young). William, Lewis and Franklin were soldiers in Civil war, Lewis losing his life at the battle of Cold Harbor. Henry Donmayer, grandfather of Henry J. Donmayer, lived in Wayne township, not far from Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, and was a millwright and farmer. His descendants are still found in that section. He and his wife Susan (Snyder) had children as follows: Davis; Henry (Harry), who lived in Schuylkill county; Susanna who died unmarried; Catharine, who died young; END OF PAGE 830 and Mary, who married Edward Nies and lived for a time in Schuylkill county, later coming to Jordan township, Northumberland county. Davis Donmayer was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., and died Sept. 9, 1906, in Jordan township, Northumberland county (aged eighty years, seven months, four days), where he is buried, at St. Paul's Church, Urban. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, which he served as elder and deacon. In his earlier life Mr. Donmayer was a farm laborer, later becoming a boatman on the old abandoned Union canal from Pine Grove to Middletown, and in time he went into the lime-burning business in Jordan township. In 1878 he commenced farming in that township, which he continued until his death. He owned a tract of thirty-eight acres. Mr. Donmayer was a Democrat, and he was a citizen who enjoyed the confidence of his fellow men, serving as treasurer and supervisor of his township. His wife, Catharine (Geise), daughter of George and Catherine (Schwartz) Geise, died May 9, 1907, aged eighty-two years, nine months, twenty- three days, the mother of the following children: Mary J., Mrs. William Heim; Daniel, who died in his twentieth year; Henry J.; George, Elizabeth and Charles, who died young. Henry J. Donmayer obtained a common school education in Jordan township, and was a boy of only ten years when he began teaming regularly with his father, hauling coal, lime and doing all kinds of draying. In the spring of 1878 he began farming in Jordan township, on a thirty-six-acre tract upon which he lived for eight years, and in 1887 he engaged in the butcher business, at which he continued for ten years. During this time he lived at Urban. In the spring of 1898 he moved to Gowen City, in the eastern part of Cameron township, where he, farmed for two years, Thence moving to Eldred township, Schuylkill county, where he also farmed for two years. Moving hack to Jordan township, he was engaged in farming there for several years, until he sold out and moved to Lebanon, Pa., at which place he worked in the rolling mills. In the spring of 1907 he came to his present home, the old Daniel homestead in Washington township, which farm consists of 110 acres. It was in the Daniel name from 1774 to 1907. Two log houses stand on this land, one of which was built in 1800 and is still used as a dwelling; the other is not quite so old. Mr. Donmayer has modern agricultural implements and is up-to-date in all the branches of his work, using scientific methods wherever practicable and working his land intelligently. He is a Democrat and has been active in promoting the success of his party. While a resident of Jordan township he filled the office of school director three Years. He and his family are Lutheran members of St. John's Church, which he has served as deacon. In 1882 Mr. Donmayer married Susan J. Snyder, daughter of George B. and Susan (Ramer) Snyder, of Eldred township, Schuylkill county, and they have five children: Adam F., Katie G., Charles O., Jerre B. and Harry R. GEORGE W. PAUL, merchant and postmaster at Line Mountain, in the most easterly part of Upper Mahanoy township, has been one of the most active residents of that section for a number of years and has passed all his life in the township, having been born there, on the Paul homestead, Aug. 27, 1853. He is descended from a family which has been settled in Pennsylvania from the early days, and which is still numerously represented there. The Federal Census Report of 1790 showed thirty-seven heads of families of this name in Pennsylvania alone, so that it is difficult for the genealogist to trace any one line without reliable records in the possession of the various branches of the family. The line in which we are interested is traced from Valentine Paul. Valentine (known as "Falty") Paul, the pioneer who settled in Northumberland county, in that district now embraced in the territory of Upper Mahanoy township, located at the source of the Greenbrier creek, and owned a large tract of land, some of which he cleared and put under cultivation. In 1805 he purchased 120 acres in Mahanoy (now Upper Mahanoy) township for 550 pounds lawful money "truly in hand paid" from Philip and Magd. Diehl. The same year Philip and Magd. Diehl and their son Michael Diehl and his wife Magd. sold a second tract, lying adjacent to the one just mentioned, to Valentine Paul. He built a log house on what is now the farm of Peter H. Paul, and it was a very old structure when it was razed, in 1879. Valentine Paul was a member of the Reformed Church. He is buried at Howerters Church, but his grave is not marked. To him and his wife Susanna were born the following children: Benjamin, George, Michael, Valentine and Daniel. Of these, Michael is the ancestor of the branch of the family to which George W. Paul belongs. Concerning the others, George succeeded his father on the homestead, living there until his removal in 1856 to Illinois, where his descendants continue to reside; his children were Valentine, Peter, Jacob, Hannah and Sarah. Valentine, who was a farmer, lived on another part of his father's homestead; among his children were Michael (who moved West), Andrew (who was killed by a "Yankee" through some trouble about a land transaction), Polly and Catharine (married John Diehl) Daniel lived in part of his brother George's house for a time, later moving out West, where he prospered; he married Hannah END OF PAGE 831 Heim, and they had one daughter, Mary, who was young when her parents moved West. In 1803, when St. Jacob's Lutheran and Reformed Church was organized, Michael and Benjamin Paul were among the prominent members. Michael Paul, son of Valentine, was born in Upper Saucon township, Northampton Co., Aug. 13, 1768, and was there baptized. In Northumberland county he settled two miles south of his father's homestead, on a tract which is now the property of David D. Paul, a grandson, having a farm of 135 acres which afforded him a good living. He died at an advanced age and is buried at the Salem (Herb) Church, of which he and his family were members. His old family Bible, now in the possession of the widow of Elias Paul, shows date and place of his birth; that his wife Elizabeth Kuntzelman was born Jan. 25, 1773 (the wife of Michael Paul is recorded elsewhere as Elizabeth Geissinger, born Jan. 25, 1773, died Jan. 17, 1853; as his son Michael apparently married a Kuntzelman the surnames may have become mixed), and that their children were born as follows: Johannes, 1793; _____, Dec. 27, 1794; _____, Sept 20, 1796; Michael, Sept. 21, 1798; Catharine, Oct. 27, 1800; John, Jan. 31, 1803; Samuel, Nov. 27, 1805; Susanna, Nov. 20, 1807; Tobias, Oct. 29, 1808. (Another account gives the children as Valentine, who remained on the homestead; Michael; and Lydia, who married Peter Brown. Lydia, wife of Peter Brown, was according to tombstone records born Sept. 23, 1817, and died March 27, 1887.) Among other items in the old Bible mentioned we find that Elias Paul, son of one Michael Paul, was born Oct. 15, 1824, and died May 8, 1906; his widow, Catharine (Maurer), was born Feb. 28, 1831. Michael Paul son of Michael and Elizabeth, was born Sept. 21, 1798, on the homestead, and died March 3, 1879. He is buried at St. John's Church, in Upper Mahanoy. He was a carpenter and an all-around skillful mechanic, being able to make shoes and wagons and do tailoring, in fact there was little in the way of handicraft that he did not undertake successfully. He was also a prosperous farmer, owning a tract of 100 acres, on which he built the house which still stands in 1868. In 1866 he built a barn, but it was destroyed by lightning in 1898 and rebuilt by his son Peter. He took an active part in local affairs, serving as supervisor and school director, and was prominent in the religious life of the community, being a Lutheran member of St. John's Church, which he served officially during the greater part of his mature life. His wife, Esther Hornberger, was a daughter of George Hornberger, who is buried in a private burial ground in a field in the eastern part of Cameron township. (Tombstone records say Michael L. Paul, born Sept. 21, 1798, died _____3, 1879, aged eighty years, seven months, twelve days; wife Catharine Kuntzelman, born July 22, 1800, died Nov. 2, 1873. Johannes Kuntzelman and his wife Margaretha Beissin had a daughter Maria Catharine, born July 22, 1800.) To Mr. and Mrs. Michael Paul were born children as follows: John, who died in the Stone hospital Washington, D. C., while serving in the army during the Civil war; Catharine, who married Elias Kahler; Peter H.; Polly, who married Andrew Kahler; George W.; Daniel H., who lives in Dauphin county, Pa. (his post office is Progress); and William, a resident of Upper Mahanoy township. Peter H. Paul, son of Michael, is a retired farmer of Upper Mahanoy township, where for many years he was well known in public affairs, as well as in business life. He was born Aug. 5, 1848, and began his education in the subscription schools, later attending the free schools for two terms. Like his father, he is a mechanical genius, being able to work at many trades, and thus he has worked as a carpenter, blacksmith and wheelwright, has made a number of new wagons, and has made cloth for his own use, being handy at all sorts of mechanical work. He farmed for some years, owning eighty acres of the original Paul homestead, and he built the present barn on that tract in 1898. His undertakings prospered well under his efficient management, and h Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 956 thru 976 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck. Tar2@psu.edu USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. PATRICK B. HIGGINS was engaged in mining work for over forty years before his recent retirement therefrom in 1909, and he is now devoting his activities to farming, having bought his present farm in Ralpho township in 1900. He was born Nov. 1, 1846, near Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., son of Thomas Higgins, a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, who came to America with his wife and two children when a young man. Locating near Pottsville, he there passed the remainder of his long life, dying at the age of seventy-two years. He made a trip to California, but did not remain long in the West. By his first wife, Mary (Brennan), he had a family of fifteen sons, only six of whom, however, grew to maturity: Barney, Thomas, Martin, John, James and William. To his second marriage, with Sarah Born, came the following children: Patrick B., Joseph, Bridget, Elizabeth, Mary, Ellen, and Margaret. Mrs. Sarah (Born) Higgins died Dec. 23, 1910, at the remarkable age of 102 years, and was buried Dec. 27, 1910, in the Springfield cemetery. Patrick B. Higgins was reared near Pottsville. When a boy he commenced work at the mines in Schuylkill county in the usual way, picking slate but was employed thus only two and one half days when he went to the Williams mines at Mount Laffer, same county, where he was hired to blow a fan and drive a team. Later he became a loader, and for some time he was a loader boss. His next work was cutting coal, driving gangways, chutes and headings. When he came to Shamokin, this county, in 1868, he assisted in opening the Lancaster colliery, then owned by John and William Gabel, and at this colliery, later known as the Gimlet colliery, he remained for the long period of thirty-nine years and eleven months, until he retired from that line of work in 1909. He served in various capacities, for many years as outside foreman, in fact he was the only incumbent of that position at the Gimlet until he gave up the work. Mr. Higgins had bought a farm of eighty-five acres of good land in Ralpho township in 1900, and there he now resides and follows agricultural operations, which he has found a congenial change. A hardworking and reliable man, he was well known in the coal fields and bore an excellent reputation throughout his career as a miner. He is a citizen of sterling worth and esteemed by all who know him. In politics he is independent, voting for the candidate he prefers, regardless of party ties. In religion he is a Catholic. Mr. Higgins married Margaret Maderia, daughter of George and Mary (Rhoads) Maderia, and they have had children as follows: Mary married Frank Long; Catharine married William Haines; Thomas is living at Coal Run, Pa.; George makes his home in Shamokin, Pa.; Ellen, Patrick and John are deceased; James lives at home; Diana is the wife of Harry Hornberger; Thursa is deceased. JOHN F. HESSER, who has been outside foreman at the Hickory Swamp colliery, in Mount Carmel township, since 1898, is one of the respected citizens of this region. His father was a boss at this colliery at the time of his death. The Hesser family is an old-established one in this section of Pennsylvania, and we give something of the early general history of the family, contributed by Mr. W. Reiff Hesser, of Beading, Berks Co., Pa., a descendant of the same stock. In 1732 two brothers, John Hesser and Frederick Hesser, made the voyage to this country in "The Loyal Judith," coming from the Palatinate in Germany. They were young, no doubt, probably boys of fifteen and seventeen years, and in course of time married. One of them (maybe both) settled at the "Trappe," in what is now Montgomery county, Pa., and reared a family. We have record of only two sons, John, born about 1760, and Frederick, born in 1763, both of whom were well known in the lower counties of Pennsylvania. Both served in the Revolutionary war, John (who never married) enlisting as a fifer, remaining in the army throughout the period of the Revolution and continuing in the regular service until the close of END OF PAGE 956 the war of 1812-15. He was with Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815. His army service covered over fifty years, and he died at the age of about seventy at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he is buried; the date of death appears on his tombstone there. Frederick Hesser (2), recorded above as having been born in 1763, was the grandfather of Mr. W. Reiff Hesser. He enlisted as a drummer in Washington's army in September, 1776, and the terms of enlistment being frequently short in the Revolution, subsequently enlisted three times. He was present at and took active part in the battles of Trenton and Brandywine, was in the reserve at Germantown, and saw active service at various other points. A Hessian musket given him after the fight at Trenton is now in the possession of the family. A British prisoner drummer taught him to drum according to army regulations, and he proved such an apt pupil that he was a drum major in the service when still quite young. Removing to Schuylkill county while it was still a part of Berks county (divided in 1811), he remained there the rest of his life, living at Orwigsburg until his death about 1851. He was high sheriff of that county in 1815 and was court crier for several years, in those days assembling court by roll of the drum in the large open square where the old courthouse still stands. He was a brother-in-law of Francis R. Shunk, who became governor of Pennsylvania, and was himself a man of substance and importance in his section. Frederick Hesser (2) had four sons of whom there is record; it is probable there were no others. These sons were: Frederick Hesser (3) removed to Fort Madison, Iowa, where he became a prosperous merchant; it is thought he died about 1880. Another son, whose name we do not know, left home when young and was never afterward heard from. Charles Hesser became a prominent bishop in the Evangelical Church; we have not the exact date of his death, but it seems to have occurred about 1845-48. Henry Hesser (father of W. Reiff Hesser) was the youngest of the sons of Frederick Hesser (2), who had also two daughters: Catherine, who became Mrs. John Schoener, and Rebecca, who became Mrs. Fraley. Both are now deceased. Mrs. Fraley was the grandmother of Dr. Herbert Erb, of Orwigsburg. Henry Hesser was born July 2, 1815, at Orwigsburg, which was then the county seat of Schuylkill county. About 1844 he removed to Schuylkill Haven, Pa., and entered the service of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company, in which he remained about forty-five years, holding responsible positions to the end of his life, in 1890. His family consisted of four sons and two daughters, namely: Albert A. has for many years been in the service of the Philadelphia & Reading Ry. Company, for a long time as superintendent of the Mahanoy & Shamokin Division, and still holds a position with that company; Charles F. was a prominent business man of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died Dec. 20, 1907; W. Reiff was for twenty-three years in the service of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company in important positions, and is now in Reading, Pa., where he is serving as probation officer; H. A. was in the service of the Philadelphia & Reading and other companies for many years before his death, in April, 1910; Elizabeth R. lives at Schuylkill Haven, Pa.; Emma R. married H. B. Zulick and resides at Schuylkill Haven. The exact connection between the branch of the Hesser family to which John F. Hesser belongs and that whose history is given above is not clearly established, but it is certain they were of the same stock, as Frederick Hesser, father of John F., was a cousin or second cousin of Henry Hesser, son of Frederick (2). The grandfather of John F. Hesser settled in Schuylkill county, where he died. Frederick Hesser followed a seafaring life for some time. In 1861 he located at Coal Run, in Northumberland county, where he found employment at the colleries, and for some time he was engaged as slate picker boss at the Hickory Swamp Colliery. He was murdered Dec. 19, 1874, in the engine room of that colliery, by the "Molly Maguires." Mr. Hesser was an intelligent and respected citizen, well known in this section in his day, having been elected coroner of the county in 1872, for a term of three years. He was a Republican in politics, in religion a member of the Evangelical Church. He married Elizabeth Swenck, a native of Schuylkill county, and to them were born five children: Mary A., Elizabeth (who died young), John F., Charles H. and George F. John F. Hesser was born in 1853 in Schuylkill county, son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Swenck) Hesser. He came to Northumberland county with his father and attended the local schools until he commenced work as a slate picker at the Coal Run colliery. When he became older he was employed as a miner about four years, and then went to Pearson, Lebanon Co., Pa., where he was engaged for two years at the carpenter's trade. Returning to his home district he followed his trade and assisted in the construction of the Hickory Ridge breaker, having charge of part of the work. Upon its completion he remained there eleven years, as breaker boss, in 1898 taking his present position at the Hickory Swamp colliery. He has sixty-five men in his charge as outside foreman, and he holds their respect and good will to a gratifying degree. Mr. Hesser is a member of the Independent Americans at Shamokin, and he is a Republican in his political views. END OF PAGE 957 Mr. Hesser married Elizabeth Moll, and they have a family of six children, namely: Frederick E., Charles Henry, Emma F., Mary E., Albert Quay and Laura B. HENRY CAMERON, of No. 604 West Spruce street, Shamokin, has lived in that borough for almost fifty years, and throughout that long period has been employed at the mines. For over twenty years he has been engaged at the Cameron mines. Mr. Cameron was born May 25, 1852, in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where his father, Charles Cameron, a native of New Jersey, located before the Civil war. His paternal grandfather had a family of six children, those besides Charles being: Daniel, Eckbud F., John, Eliza and Lydia A. Charles Cameron was a plasterer and bricklayer by occupation, and followed his trade all his life. He lived for some time at Shamokin, but eventually returned to his native State, where he died. He married Mary A. Murkel, a native of Berks county, Pa., and a member of an old family of that county, and to them were born seven children: Emeline is the widow of David Reed; Mary E. married Henry Ressler; Henry is mentioned below; Charles lives in Shamokin; Simon is a resident of Jamestown, N. Y.; Wallace lives in Rochester, Pa.; Elizabeth married Emanuel Leiser. Henry Cameron commenced work at the breaker when a mere boy and has followed mining all his life. He has been a stationary engineer during the greater part of his forty-eight years at the mines, and commenced work with the Cameron colliery about twenty-five years ago, Sept. 15, 1886. He is now one of the trusted employees at the Cameron mines, bearing a deserved reputation for trustworthiness and reliability. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and of the Shepherds of Bethlehem, in politics a Republican, and in religion an adherent of the Reformed faith. Mr. Cameron married June 21, 1873, Harriet Rhoads, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Kerstetter) Rhoads, of Northumberland county, and they have had four children: Sallie E. died at the age of thirty years, the wife of Charles Settelmoyer; Mary C. died in infancy; Jennie F. is the wife of John Young, of Shamokin, and has one child, Joseph Henry; Caroline M. died at the age of twenty-four years. ABRAHAM C. BOYER, a young business man of Sunbury who is engaged in the manufacture of buggies, carriages and wagons, was born Aug. 30, 1884, in Upper Augusta township, this county, son of Elias D. Boyer. The Boyers are a branch of an old family of lower Berks county, Pa., established in Northumberland county in 1831 by Peter Boyer, great- grandfather of Abraham C. Boyer. The emigrant ancestor of the Boyer family was John Philip Beyer, who came from the Palatinate to Philadelphia in 1731, with a number of children. He settled in Frederick township, Montgomery Co., Pa., but later lived in Amity township, in the lower end of Berks county, where he died in the spring of 1753, at a ripe old age. He belonged to the Swamp Lutheran Church, and was buried by the pastor, Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who reports the matter fully in the "Halleschen Nachrichten." His will is on record at the Philadelphia courthouse, and in it some of his children are named. Among his sons were: Jacob, the ancestor of the Boyertown branch of the family; and Johann Heinrich. Johann Heinrich Boyer was born in 1714, in the Pfalz, Germany, and died May 2, 1814, in the one hundredth year of his age. In 1748 he was married to Magdalena Kirchner, and among his children - six sons and one daughter - were Philip and Heinrich. Philip Boyer, born Dec. 14, 1754, died July 31, 1832. His wife, Christiana, who was born in 1754, also died in 1832, and both were buried in the old graveyard at Amityville. Philip Boyer made a will the year before his death, while a resident of Amity township, and in it he mentions the following children: Michael; Jacob, who had a son Philip; John; Peter; Mary, married to George Koch; and Daniel, born in 1792, who died in 1825. Peter Boyer, son of Philip, was born in Amity township, Berks county, and in 1831 came to Northumberland county with his wife and family, which then consisted of twelve children, the youngest two having been born in Lower Mahanoy township, where they settled. His 170-acre farm in that township is now owned by one Frank Phillips. Later be moved to Dauphin county, where he owned a valuable farm and mill property for which he paid $12,000, and he died in that county about 1850-51, at the age of sixty-five years. He is buried at Hoffman's Church, in Lykens township, Dauphin county. Though a stonemason by trade, he was engaged principally in farming, in which he was very successful and prosperous. He was a strong man, noted for his courageous disposition, and was known locally as "Wammas" Boyer. His wife, Catharine Herb, also of Berks county, lived to the age of eighty-four. They were the parents of fourteen children, as follows: Benjamin, Sally, Elias, Isaac, Rachel, Mary, Hettie, Gabriel, Abraham, Catharine, Josiah and Benneville (twins), John and Leah, the two last named born in Northumberland county. John Boyer, probably an uncle of Peter Boyer, above, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Abraham Boyer, son of Peter, was born in Amity township, Berks county, and came with the family to Lower Mahanoy township, where he passed the END OF PAGE 958 remainder of his active and successful life with the exception of the years he was at Millerstown, Perry County. Like the Boyers generally, he was noted for his industry and thrift, and he became one of the most extensive farmers in Lower Mahanoy township, owning about five hundred acres of land. He died in Lower Mahanoy township. Abraham Boyer married Catharine Anderson, daughter of John Anderson, and to them were born six children, namely: S. Pierce; Amelia, who married Henry Pieffer, of Dauphin county, Pa.; John, deceased; Elias D.; Hannah, married to John Lahr of Pillow, Pa.; and Peter, of Pillow. Elias D. Boyer, son of Abraham, was born April 19, 1857, in Lower Mahanoy township, and was there reared to farming, in which he has continued to be interested up to the present time. After living in Stone Valley, in Lower Mahanoy, for five years, he moved in 1882 to Upper Augusta township. where he has since made his home. He is extensively engaged in general farming, owning a number of farms - two in Upper Augusta township, one of 168 acres and one of seventeen acres; and three in Lower Augusta township, of sixty-one acres, eighty-nine acres and 105 acres, respectively. As a lumber dealer he has interests all over the county, employing from six to twenty men in this line. as business demands. Mr. Boyer has also engaged in contracting, having put up about forty houses in the borough of Sunbury, where he has invested heavily in real estate. The farm in Upper Augusta township upon which he makes his home is an attractive and valuable property with a valuable farm stock and well equipped throughout. A good manager, and possessing excellent judgment in business matters, Mr. Boyer has been very successful, and by his own efforts has accumulated considerable property. In 1878 Mr. Boyer married Catharine Peifer, daughter of Isaac and Eve (Yerger) Peifer, who lived in Jackson township, and nine children have been born to them: William, now of Fisher's Ferry, Pa.; John, who died in infancy; Hannah, married to Gordon Neidig, of Lower Augusta township, this county; Abraham C.; Eve, who died in infancy; Amelia M. who died in infancy; Edward C.; Katie; and Emma V. Mr. Boyer and his family attend the Hollowing Run Union Church, of which he is a Reformed and his wife a Lutheran member. In political conviction he is a Democrat. Abraham C. Boyer received a public school education. In September, 1906, he came to Sunbury and established his present business, having a factory on the corner of Woodlawn avenue and Gas Alley for the manufacture of buggies, carriages and wagons, and facilities for all kinds of repairing, of which he makes a specialty. He also acts as agent for Swab's wagons. Mr. Boyer has gained a lucrative patronage, and gives employment to four men. He is one of the enterprising young business men of the borough and has high standing among his associates and all with whom he has dealings. On Dec. 21, 1905, Mr. Boyer married Josephine Drumm, daughter of John Drumm, and they have three children, Helen C., Mary A. and Elias D. He and his family are members of the Reformed Church, and fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. JACOB S. ROHRBACH, of Shamokin township, at present engaged at the carpenter's trade, was born April 4, 1850, in Locust township, Columbia Co., Pa., son of David Rohrbach and grandson of Jacob Rohrbach. The Rohrbach family is an old one in Pennsylvania, of German origin, being descended from John George Rohrbach, who emigrated to America about the middle of the eighteenth century. He settled in Eastern Pennsylvania, in Berks county, in the territory now embraced in District township, and the family is now quite numerous in the eastern end of that county. The ancestral homestead is still owned by one of his descendants. He was twice married, and by his first union had a son Lawrence, who had five sons, Daniel, George (who had eight children), Christopher (or Stophel who had eleven children), Jacob and Henry. By his second wife, Christiana Moser, he had five children, George, John, Simon, Eva and Christiana. Those of the name now living in Berks county are descendants of Lawrence and John; Simon is said to have moved to Catawissa, Columbia county; George to have gone West; Eva married Jacob Finkbohner, who after her death married her sister Christiana. The ancestor of a number of the name now living in Northumberland county devoted himself to his business affairs and was a successful and influential man of his day in the section of Pennsylvania referred to, where he lived and died. For many years he conducted a charcoal furnace in conjunction with farming. He had no aspirations toward public honors and took no part in anything outside of his private interests. He married Catharine Fenstermacher, and to them was born a large family. Their son George, born in 1808 in Columbia county, Pa., was the father of the late Lloyd T. and William H. Rohrbach, both prominent citizens of Sunbury. David Rohrbach, son of Jacob Rohrbach and father of Jacob S. Rohrbach, was born in Oley Berks Co., Pa., and moved with his parents to Columbia county. He followed farming, owning 100 acres along the Roaring creek, where he spent the rest of his days, dying in 1867, at the age of forty-six years. His wife, Sarah (Shuman), died in Catawissa and is buried there. They had children as follows: Jacob S.; Jane, Mrs. William END OF PAGE 959 Beckendorf; Albert, living in Sunbury; Sarah, Mrs. William Witengruver, living in Oklahoma; Clara S., Mrs. Lafountan, living in Scranton, Pa.; Reuben, who died in Shamokin; William, living at Newport News; and Annie, who died young. Jacob S. Rohrbach learned the trade of carpenter with Christ Hartley, at Roaring Creek, Columbia county, and followed it for four years at that time. He then became a fireman on the railroad, where he eventually became an engineer, on the Catawissa line, continuing in this work about four years. Locating in Snydertown, Northumberland county, he was employed at his trade four years, at the end of which time he located upon the farm in Shamokin township which he still owns, the old Muench homestead, a valuable tract of 170 acres. For the next twenty-two years he was engaged in farming, from which he retired a few years ago to resume his trade, at which he is now engaged. His farm is fertile and productive land, and he has rented it since he took up carpentry again. Mr. Rohrbach has been successful in the management of his own affairs to such an extent that he has been called upon to assist in the administration of public matters, and he has served his township two years as treasurer and ten years as school director. He is a Democrat in politics. On Dec. 23, 1875, Mr. Rohrbach married Mary E. Muench, who was born Oct. 13, 1856, daughter of Jacob E. Muench and granddaughter of William H. Muench. She died July 12, 1904, and is buried at St. Jacob's (Reed's) Church. Two children were born to this union: (1) Edward M., born Nov. 28, 1883, who learned the telegrapher's art and has been station agent at Paxinos since 1908; he married Susan B. Persing and they have had three children, Virginia Estella (died in infancy), Clyde Edward (died in infancy), and Emanuel P. (2) Mary M. is at home. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. The emigrant ancestor of the Muench family was Charles E. Muench, a descendant of a French noble family of the name of Beauvoir. He probably crossed the French line into Germany prior to the French Revolution, and took the name of his patrimonial estate, "Munchhofen." He was born Jan. 7, 1769, at Mellenheim, on the Rhine, and was educated at Heidelberg, where he spent fourteen years preparing for the ministry, learning five different languages. He inherited a large fortune and a landed estate. Marshal Jourdan, under orders of the French Directory (then the ruling power in France), invaded that section, and Charles E. Muench, in defense of his country, raised a company of dragoons. In an engagement with the French his left arm was so terribly injured that it became partly useless. His portion of Germany being overrun, and in the possession of the French troops, he gathered together his personal property, abandoned his landed estate and sailed for America. The vessel on which he sailed was overtaken by a French privateer and the passengers robbed of all their valuables, so that be landed at Philadelphia penniless. His wife, Margaret (Bieser), and eldest daughter were with him. Unable to obtain employment, he drifted to Shaefferstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., and subsequently lived at different points in Pennsylvania, eventually locating in Lykens Valley, near Berrysburg, in Dauphin county, Pa., where Mr. Muench engaged in school teaching. He died at Lykens Valley in 1833, and his wife passed away in 1834, both reaching the age of sixty-four years. Their family consisted of seven children: Juliana, born in Germany, who married Jacob Wolf; William Henry; Charles F.; Susan, Mrs. Jacob Reigle; Jacob D.; Daniel A., of Harrisburg; and Margaret, Mrs. Peter Miller. William Henry Muench, eldest son of Charles E. Muench, was born Feb. 10, 1799, at Shaefferstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., and as he was born a cripple his parents gave him as good an education as possible, their lack of means making it necessary to limit him to instruction in English and German. In 1819 Rev. J. P. Shindel proposed that he come to the Shamokin valley to teach those branches, and he located at Reed's station, where he taught for twenty-four years, at the same place. He became widely acquainted and was an early friend of Gen. Simon Cameron. He served as county commissioner and held all the township offices, and was appointed justice of the peace for Shamokin township by Governor Schultze, which position he filled thirty years, during which time he married eighty-nine couples, becoming known as the "marrying squire." Shamokin township at one time had a much wider area than at present including what are now Shamokin, Ralpho, Zerbe, Coal, Mount Carmel and Cameron townships, so that he became well known over a large territory, and being an expert and elegant penman, an accomplishment none too common in those days, he was often called upon to make out deeds and mortgages, transacting a large amount of business of that kind. He died Sept. 8, 1885, aged eighty-six years, and his wife Elizabeth (Reed), daughter of Jacob Reed, whom he married in 1820, died in 1866, aged sixty-six. They are buried at St. Jacob's (Reed's) Church. William H. Muench was an elder and leading supporter of the German Reformed Church. He had two children, Margaret and Jacob E. Jacob E. Muench, son of William Henry Muench, was born at the old homestead Sept. 20 or 29, 1823, and died in 1900. During his young manhood he taught in the township schools for a number of years, but his principal occupation was farming, which he carried on extensively. In his early life he was prominently connected with END OF PAGE 960 the State militia, of which he was a member fourteen years. He was appointed first lieutenant by Governor Johnston, and was subsequently elected major, and in 1853 was appointed brigadier-general by Governor Bigler. He was a Republican and active in politics, serving several terms as auditor of his township, from 1873 to 1875 as auditor of Northumberland county, and for many years as school director, being secretary of the township school board for eighteen consecutive years. The public schools always had a warm friend in this public-spirited citizen. In 1886 he was elected justice of the peace. He was a member of the German Reformed Church, and served as elder five years. On Dec. 3, 1854, Mr. Muench married Lavina Scholl, who was born in 1825 at Fleetwood, Berks Co., Pa., and met her husband at the home of Conrad Yost, who lived in Shamokin township, this county, while on a visit. Mrs. Muench died Sept. 1, 1862, aged thirty-seven years, the mother of three children: Mary E., deceased, who was the wife of Jacob S. Rohrbach; William F., who died aged seventeen years; and Emma E., who married Reuben F. Martz, of Shamokin township, and died Jan. 7, 1902, aged forty-two years. On Nov. 28, 1878, Mr. Muench married (second) Hattie S. Cooper, daughter of John Cooper, of Upper Augusta township. She is now living at Snydertown, Pennsylvania. JOSIAH R. RISHEL, station agent at Turbutville and merchant at that place, is an enterprising young business man of his community and in the several years of his residence there has become one of its respected citizens. He was born Sept. 29, 1883, at Danville, Montour Co., Pa., son of Peter A. Rishel, and is a descendant of Michael Rishel, the ancestor of this branch of the family now represented in Montour, Columbia and Northumberland counties. Michael Rishel was born in Bucks county, Pa., and about 1790 came with his family to Columbia (now Montour) county, settling not far from Danville. He had a number of sons, among whom was Solomon. Solomon Rishel, son of Michael, lived in Montour county, where he died in 1872. Washington Rishel, son of Solomon, lived in Montour county, on the road leading from Danville to Bloomsburg. He died about 1894, at the age of about seventy-five, and is buried at Danville. He owned a farm of about one hundred acres, and followed farming. His children were: H. Clarence; Charles, who lives in Montour county; Edward, who lives at Danville; Arthur who lives in Union county, Pa. Peter A.; Sarah who married Alfred Thompson and lives at Benton, Pa.; and Lizzie, wife of Michael Leighow. This family were Lutherans in religious faith. Peter A. Rishel, son of Washington, was born in 1842 in Montour county and still resides there, at White Hall, in Anthony township. He has followed farming all his life and has a tract of 100 acres. In his earlier years he learned the trade of carpenter, at which he also worked for some years. He married Margaret Roberts, daughter of David and Fannie Roberts, of Montour county, and a family of seven children was born to their union: William C., who married Blanche Dewalt and has four children; Dorence R., station agent at Ottawa, Pa., who married Jennie Evert and has one child, Ruth; Essie M., wife of Samuel Campbell; Leroy L., who lives in Hollidaysburg, Pa.; John G., of Jerseytown, Pa.; Josiah R.; and George. Mr. Rishel and his family are Methodists in religion; he is a Republican on political questions. Josiah R. Rishel received his education in the public schools of his native township. Until he reached the age of seventeen he spent his summers in work upon the farm. At that time he went to learn telegraphy at Ottawa, Montour county, and in March, 1902, he was stationed at Jerseytown, on the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick (formerly the Central Pennsylvania & Western) road, between Watsontown and Berwick. After two years at that location he was transferred to Berwick and clerked in the office there two years, at the end of which time he went to Detroit. where he worked for the Grand Trunk Railroad Company three months. Leaving there he worked for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company the next three months, after which he returned to Pennsylvania, taking his present position as station agent of the Susquehanna, Bloomsburg & Berwick road at Turbutville, one of the main stations along the line. He has been agent there continually since 1905. Mr. Rishel has found excellent business opportunities in his present location, and he has been specially interested as a coal merchant, having a well equipped yard with a capacity of about five thousand tons, and handling some fifty carloads of coal annually. The yard is enclosed and under roof. Mr. Rishel has also established a profitable trade as a dealer in grain, hay and fruit, his transactions in all these lines increasing stead