Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Fagely, George K. 1845 - living in 1899 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com June 30, 2005, 6:38 pm Author: Biographical Publishing Company GEORGE K. FAGELY, ex-sheriff of Northumberland County, is one of the enterprising and energetic business men of Shamokin and a prominent and prosperous citizen. He was born in Shamokin township, Northumberland County, November 24, 1845, and is a son of Solomon and Mary E. (Klase) Fagely, and grandson of Christian Fagely. The Fagelys are of German descent, and have been residents of this state for the past two centuries. Christian Fagely, the grandfather of our subject, who was a native of Maiden Creek township, Berks County, Pa., in 1808 with his family moved to Shamokin township, Northumberland County, where he spent the rest of his life engaged in the cultivation of the soil. He purchased a large tract of uncultivated land which he cleared and greatly improved, and was one of the foremost agriculturists of his community, who not only thoroughly understood the occupation in which he was engaged, but was one of those who attained success in following the same. He was the progenitor of seven children all of whom are now deceased. Religiously, Mr. Fagely was an earnest and consistent member of the Lutheran Church. He passed from this earth December 31, 1845, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, three months and twenty-eight days; his wife died June 19, 1843, aged seventy years, two months and one day. Solomon Fagely, the father of our subject, was born in Maiden Creek township, Berks County, in 1802. He was but six years of age when his parents moved to Northumberland County and settled in Shamokin township. He received a liberal education in the common schools and was reared to agriculture which was his chief occupation throughout his entire life. He also conducted a hotel at Mount Carmel for two years, and later operated a mill at Paxinos for several years. He then returned to the old homestead and continued farming until his death. He was one of the prominent men of his township and by the exercise of his natural energy, industry, and all those qualities which constitute a good citizen and business man, he became a useful and valued member of his community. Mr. Fagely was originally a Douglas Democrat, but after the Civil War broke out he affiliated with the Republican party. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Mary E. Klase and a family of eleven children was born to them, namely: Valentine, a retired citizen residing in Shamokin township, Northumberland County; William, who died August 5, 1856, aged twenty-two years, eight months, and fifteen days; Henry K., a resident of Sunbury, is the proprietor of the Standard Wire Nail Works and a general merchandise store; George K.,the subject of this personal history; Elizabeth, now deceased, who married Solomon Weaver of Sunbury, Pa.; Caroline, who married W. Haas of Shamokin township; Catherine, deceased, who married Scott Mc-Williams of Shamokin, Pa.; Rosanna, deceased, who married Henry Tricellis of Sun-bury, Pa.; Harriet, who died in infancy; Ella, who married Scott McWilliams, who is now deceased; and Mary, who died unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Fagely and family were members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Fagely entered the world of rest September 6, 1883, aged eighty-one years, two months and seventeen days. The mother of our subject joined her husband February 13, 1887, at the age of eighty-three years, two months and ten days. Our subject received what education he possesses in the common schools. His early life was passed on the old homestead in assisting his father in the labors on the farm until he was sixteen years of age; he then engaged as a clerk in his brothers store and remained there two years, and then clerked in a store at Ashland, Pa., for a short time. During the Rebellion, when President Lincoln issued a call for troops, our subject laid aside all plans for the future, and enlisted June 16, 1863, in Company A, 28th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged July 27, 1863. March 13, 1865, our subject re-enlisted for three years or during the war, in Company E, 103d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was mustered out at Newbern, N. C., June 25, 1865. Returning home to his native state he settled in Snyder County where he conducted a mercantile store for four years. At the expiration of that time he returned to Shamokin, Northumberland County, and engaged in huckstering and ran an individual car on the railroad. The next ten years were spent in Snyder County, and in 1880 he returned to Shamokin, where he again took up merchandising and carried on that line of business until January 1, 1896. He was one of the enterprising and progressive merchants of Shamokin and by his straightforward methods of dealing he succeeded in establishing a large and enviable patronage. In the fall of 1895 Mr. Fagely was a candidate for sheriff of Northumberland County and was elected, by a majority of 1,227 votes, which shows his popularity and the esteem and respect in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. He is a strong Republican and has contributed much toward the success of his chosen party. He has also served as a councilman and as a school director of Shamokin. Our subject is now conducting a wholesale flour and feed store on Independence street and also operates a roller process flour mill in Snyder County. Mr. Fagely is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 194, F. & A. M., of Selinsgrove; Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R. A. M.; Shamokin Commandery, No. 77, K. T.; Calvary Commandery, No. 123, Knights of Malta; Washington Camp, No. 149, P. O. S. of A.; and Lincoln Post, No. 140, G. A. R., of Shamokin. He was a director in the post, which is probably worth $70,000, and is one of the richest G. A. R. posts in the state of Pennsylvania. Our subject was joined in the bonds of marriage November 17, 1867, with Mary A. Yoder of Snyder County, and one child was born to them, Mary N., now deceased. Mrs. Fagely passed from this life September I, 1869. Our subject formed a second marriage with Anna Keeler January 6, 1871, and one child blesses their home, namely: Solomon Grant, who is now deputy sheriff under his father. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 6.8 Kb