Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 587 thru 611

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	EDWARD S. MILLER, late of Herndon, Northumberland county, was a 
resident of that place for a number of years before his death, coming to 
Northumberland county in 1882 or 1883. He was a native of Strausstown, 
Berks Co., Pa., born July 34, 1851, son of Michael and Catharine (Klahr) 
Miller.
	Upon his removal to Northumberland county Mr. Miller located at 
Herndon, where he made his home to the end of his days, dying there Feb. 
14, 1896, at the age of forty-four years, six mouths, twenty days. He is 
buried at Herndon. For several years he was a traveling salesman for the 
shoe house of Smith, Schaeffer & Co., of Philadelphia, his territory 
being in Snyder, Dauphin, Schuylkill, Northumberland and Juniata 
counties, Pa.  He was a successful business man and well liked wherever 
known. Politically he was a Republican, and in religion a Lutheran, his 
family also belonging to that church.
	In 1894 Mr. Miller married Lydia A. Snyder, daughter of George and 
Sarah (Deppen) Snyder, of Greenbrier, Northumberland county, in which 
locality Mr. Snyder was born.  Mrs. Miller was left in comfortable 
circumstances, and made her home at Herndon until her death, which 
occurred May 5, 1910. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Snyder: 
Alexander, who lived in the Mahantango Valley, and died in 1910; 
Charlotte, widow of Peter Ziegler; William, deceased, who lived in 
Snyder county; Mary, who married William Otto, both being now deceased; 
James F., a resident of Jackson township, Northumberland county; Isaiah, 
of Millersburg, Pa.; and Lydia A., who married Edward S. Miller.
	James F. Snyder, son of George, was born in December, 1844; and 
followed farming all his active life. He married Anna Witmer, daughter 
of Daniel and Rebecca (Rehrer) Witmer, and they have five children, 
Maggie (married Grant Lemon), Anna (married David Lower), William, 
Charles and Clarence.

	REITZ.  Among the representatives of the Reitz family in Sunbury 
are Benjamin F. Reitz, deputy Prothonatary of Northumberland county, 
brothers James and Isaac J. Reitz, cousins of Benjamin F., all of whom 
are numbered among the most respected residents of that borough. Their 
fathers were brothers, sons of Jacob Reitz and grandsons of Andreas 
Reitz. The family is of French origin and is now numerous in the State 
of Pennsylvania.
	Andreas (Andrew) Reitz came from Berks county, Pa, and settled in 
what is now Upper Mahanoy township, Northumberland county.
	Jacob Reitz, son of Andreas, was born Jan. 30, 1782, in Upper 
Mahanoy township, in territory now embraced in Washington township. He 
was a farmer and a prosperous one, owning what are now the farms of 
Andrew L. Bucher and Emanuel Kiehl, of Jackson township. On the latter 
property he built a sawmill which he operated successfully for some 
years. He died Sept. 26, 1838, and was buried at St. Peter's church, in 
Jackson, near Washington township.  His wife, Anna Maria (Hepler), a 
native of Hepler, Schuylkill Co., Pa, is buried at the Stone Church.  
They were the parents of the following named children: Jacob lived in 
Jefferson county, Pa.; Benjamin (born July 19, 1808, died Jan. 11, 1838) 
lived in Washington township; Isaac H. is mentioned below; Zetic (born 
1829, died 1855) is buried at Himmel's Church; Joseph lived at 
Trevorton, Northumberland county; Samuel is mentioned below; Daniel was 
a farmer of Little Mahanoy township; Katie (deceased) was the wife of 
John Fegley; Maricha married George Miller and they lived in Jefferson 
county, Pa.; Lydia married Henry Dressler and they lived in Center 
county, Pa.; Mrs. Seiler lived in Schuylkill county.
	Isaac H. Reitz, son of Jacob, was born Sept. 10, 1818, on the old 
Reitz homestead near Mahanoy Church, now owned by Andrew L. Bucher.  He 
learned the trade of house carpenter, which he followed, but be was 
better known in his capacity of undertaker, having been the only one in 
that business for miles around his home, which was near the Mahanoy 
Church. The Mahanoy cemetery was once part of his land.  He conducted 
many funerals in his time. He was also known as an extensive dealer in 
cattle and horses, having been thus engaged for fifty-three years, 
buying cattle west of the Alleghenies and bringing them overland to 
Northumberland county, where he found a market for them. He sold herds 
in Berks county at private sales.  A prosperous man in his enterprises 
he owned the farm which is now the property of his son Galen and also 
his own homestead, another tract comprising seventy-three acres, and 
several acres of woodland. He was active in the public affairs of his 
day, serving as overseer of the poor, school director, constable and 
assessor, was a Democrat in politics, and a member of St. Peter's Church 
at Mahanoy, which he served officially.  He was also superintendent of 
the Sunday school for many years.  Mr. Reitz died in the neighborhood 
where he had passed all his life Nov. 14, 1894, aged seventy-six years, 
two 
	
	END OF PAGE 587
	
months, four days, and is buried at Krebs (St. Peter's) Church. "Krebs" 
is the local name for this church, and "St. Peter's" is the corporate 
name.
	Mr. Reitz was twice married. His first marriage was to Lydia 
Lenker, of Stone Valley, who was born July 18, 1825, and died March 5, 
1852. She is buried at St. Peter's Church, at Mahanoy. Three children 
were born to this union, two sons and one daughter, namely: Gilbert who 
died at Mt. Carmel; Caroline (deceased), who was the wife of Levius 
Keeler, of Freeburg, Snyder county; and Lewis, who died at Olean, N. Y.  
For his second wife Mr. Reitz married Susan Miller, daughter of John 
Miller, of Gratztown, Lykens Valley, Dauphin Co., Pa., who died June 24, 
1899, aged seventy-one years, seven months, thirteen days. His children 
by this marriage were as follows: Reuben is deceased; Lovina married 
(first) Edward Kantz, and (second) Morris Reitz, and they live in 
Sunbury; Galen is mentioned below; Lydia married William Kiehl and they 
live at Tower City, Pa.; John, who lives at Harrisburg, married Alice 
Bingaman; Jane (deceased) married Isaiah Wetzel and lived in Shamokin; 
Benjamin Franklin is mentioned below; Ellen married Benjamin W. Stepp, 
of Washington township; and Samuel died young.

	GALEN Reitz, son of Isaac H. Reitz, was born June 19, 1857, in 
Washington township, this county, where he still lives. He was reared to 
farm life and worked for his parents until he reached the age of twenty-
six years, after which he began farming near Mahanoy Church, where he 
has ever since resided. He has a forty-six-acre farm, the produce of 
which he markets at Trevorton, where he makes a weekly trip. His 
property is well cultivated and valuable, and has good buildings, the 
barn built in 1877 and the house in 1890. He has served six years as 
school director of Washington township and since 1906 as overseer of the 
poor, and he is much respected in the neighborhood for his intelligent 
public services as well as his able management of his private affairs. 
In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Reitz and his family are Lutheran 
members of the Mahanoy church, which he has served as deacon, elder and 
(for four years) trustee.
	On Dec. 18, 1876, Mr. Reitz married Lucinda Shipe, daughter of 
Samuel and Hettie (Herner) Shipe, the former a blacksmith and farmer, 
and granddaughter of Jacob Shipe, who was a farmer of Lower Augusta 
township. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reitz: Emma, 
married to Jefferson Wynn, of Lower Augusta township; Minnie I., 
unmarried; Isaac S., who married Hannah Grieger and resides in 
Harrisburg; Mary A.; Selvia K.; Frances I.; Harvey; and Samuel, Bertha 
and Claude, all three of whom died young.
	Benjamin F. Reitz  has been deputy prothonotary of Northumberland 
county since 1906, and in that capacity has become particularly well 
known in official circles, his able discharge of the duties of his 
position having won him the favorable recognition of all who have come 
in contact with him. Mr. Reitz was born in Washington township Sept. 8, 
1868, and there began his education in the public schools. Later he was 
a pupil at the old Freeburg Academy, in Snyder county, also attending a 
select school at Milton, where he was under the tuition of Professors 
Wolverton and Goho. He was next engaged at teaching for three terms in 
the public schools, and two summers in a select school at Elysburg, this 
county, after which he took a course at the State Normal School 
Kutztown, from which he was graduated in 1890 For the next two years he 
taught at Landingville, Schuylkill county. Then he went to the Eastman 
Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he was graduated in 
1892, after which he was engaged for some time as clerk at the Broad 
street station, in Philadelphia, Pa. Returning to Elysburg he taught for 
seven years or until 1900, when he was appointed assistant clerk in the 
commissioners' office, in 1903 receiving appointment as clerk in the 
prothonotary's office.  In January, 1906, he was appointed deputy 
prothonotary under Thomas Lawler, and was reappointed by the present 
incumbent, Ira T. C. Dissinger, having filled the position with fidelity 
and skill, and he is now bookkeeper for the Sunbury Trust & Safe Deposit 
Co.  Mr. Reitz is well and favorably known the local councils of the 
Democratic party. He belongs to the I.O.O.F. lodge at Elysburg and to 
the Encampment at Sunbury, and in religion is a member of the Lutheran 
Church. He has the old Reitz family Bible.
	On Dec. 31, 1901, Mr. Reitz married Emma Reed, daughter of Henry 
and Sarah (Trego) Reed of Elysburg, and granddaughter of Jacob Reed. 
They have an adopted son, Clyde, who was born in 1901.
	Samuel Reitz, father of James and Isaac J. Reitz, of Sunbury, lived 
in Upper Augusta township, in Hollowing Run, and in Lower Mahanoy and 
later in Little Mahanoy, which was his home at the time of his death. He 
followed farming, and in connection therewith worked at his trade, 
shoemaking. He died in Little Mahanoy township at the home of his 
brother Daniel, whom he was visiting, and is buried at Little Mahanoy 
Church. Mr. Reitz was twice married. His first wife was Kate Reed, by 
whom he had three children, Kittie, Mary and Daniel, his second wife 
being Harriet Jones, daughter of Capt. William R. Jones, who was 
postmaster at Fisher's Ferry for some years. She died Sept. 13, 1883, 
aged sixty-three years, five months, twenty-eight days, and is buried in 
the River cemetery, at Fisher's Ferry. They had two children, James and 
Isaac J. 
	
	END OF PAGE 588 
	
	JAMES REITZ, son of Samuel, a prosperous business man of Sunbury, 
was born July 1, 1857, in Lower Augusta township, where he spent his 
early boyhood days. From the age of seven he has lived in Lower Augusta 
township and Sunbury. After reaching manhood be learned the trade of 
tinsmith, which he followed in Sunbury for seven years, later taking up 
slating, to which he now devotes most of his time. He is engaged in job 
work and contracting in Sunbury and the vicinity, where he has built up 
a profitable trade.  Mr. Reitz's experience as a tinsmith aids him 
considerably in his present line of work, and he has a particularly  
good reputation as a reliable roofer.  He is a Democrat in political 
opinion, but not active in politics.

	ISAAC J. Reitz, an energetic and enterprising citizen of Sunbury, 
whose various business interests bring him into contact with a large 
proportion of the residents of that borough, was born July 1, 1863, in 
Lower Mahanoy township, this county. He spent his youth in Lower Augusta 
township, where he attended public school, and when eighteen commenced 
to learn the plumber's trade at Sunbury, where he has followed it 
continuously since. His business has extended until he not only is fully 
equipped to fill plumbing and heating contracts of all kinds, but also 
does a large business as a dealer in stoves and tin ware, carrying the 
largest and most complete stock of tin ware in the town at his store, 
No. 515 Market street. He has always been a leader in the plumbing 
business, and in that line alone gives regular employment to four men, 
having in all ten men employed in the conduct of his various branches of 
business. He has the local selling agency for the Mitchell automobile, 
his territory covering Northumberland, Snyder, Union and Montour 
counties, and in this connection conducts a garage at No. 435 Market 
street, in Sunbury.  Mr. Reitz was the first to introduce moving 
pictures in Sunbury, and he owns and conducts the Lyric theater, one of 
the leading establishments of the kind in the borough, which he has 
found a profitable investment.  He is a large owner of real estate. Mr. 
Reitz is thorough in everything he undertakes, and has shown himself 
progressive in every line of work he has entered. The fact that he 
engaged in the moving picture and automobile lines, and made a success 
of both, is sufficient evidence that he has an intelligent comprehension 
of the needs of the day. The manner in which he has developed his 
original line of business would be a credit to any workman.  In both 
mercantile and mechanical lines he has followed its possibilities to the 
limits of usefulness and convenience, to his own profit and the benefit 
of his townspeople.
	Mr. Reitz has represented the Ninth ward in the town council, and 
is a Democrat in political connection.  He is a member of the Elks and 
the Freemasons, belonging to Lodge No. 22, F. & A.M., Northumberland 
Chapter, No. 174, R.A.M., and Mount Hermon Commandery, No. 85, K.T., all 
of Sunbury; and to Lodge No. 237, B.P.O,  Elks, also of Sunbury.
	On June 1, 1882, Mr. Reitz married Annie Arnold, daughter of Henry 
and Margaret (Keefer) Arnold, of Lower Augusta township.  They have had 
one daughter, Maud May, now the wife of William Conrad, a clerk in the 
Sunbury National Bank. Mr. Reitz and his family are members of the 
Reformed Church.  

	KEARNEY. This is a name which has been represented in Shamokin, 
Northumberland county, since 1865, when Matthew Kearney, father of the 
brothers Matthew A. and William E. Kearney, both of whom are now engaged 
in the hotel business in that borough, made a permanent home there. 
Though he died but a few years later he became a very well known 
resident of the place, and his sons have all been useful and successful 
citizens, all but one still residing in Shamokin.
	The Kearney family is of Irish origin, Patrick Kearney, the 
grandfather of Matthew A. and William E. Kearney, having been born in 
County Mayo, Ireland. Matthew Kearney, son of Patrick, was born in 
Ireland, and came to America in the early part of 1847 with his mother, 
wife and three sisters. He first located in Clintonville, Mass., but 
soon moved to the anthracite coal regions of Pennsylvania, living for a 
time in Luzerne county, later in Carbon county, and in 1850 coming to 
Northumberland county, where he made his home at Trevorton for a number 
of years.  In 1865 he removed to Shamokin, where he passed the remainder 
of his days He was a miner and contractor, driving tunnels in connection 
with the mining of coal, and had the reputation of being an expert in 
that line, having driven many of the large tunnels in the early 
development of the coal industry in the vicinity of Shamokin. At the 
time of his death, which occurred Oct. 31, 1870, he was serving as tax 
collector of Shamokin, having been elected on the Democratic ticket.
	Mr. Kearney married Ann Devitt, who survived him many years, dying 
March 25, 1889, and they are buried at Shamokin. They had a family of 
eleven children, six of whom survive: Matthew A.; William E.; Daniel, a 
detective, who has long been connected with the police force in Chicago, 
Ill.; Annie, wife of J. F. McLaughlin, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; James J., 
attorney at law, of Shamokin; and Bridget, of Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania.

	MATTHEW A. KEARNEY, son of Matthew and Ann (Devitt) Kearney, was 
born Aug. 19, 1856, at Trevorton, Northumberland county.  He received 
his education in the schools of Coal township. When a boy he commenced 
work as a slate picker at the breaker, in time becoming a miner, 
	
	END OF PAGE 589
	
and he worked as such in the collieries about Shamokin for a period of 
twenty years.  He has since been interested in the hotel business with 
the exception of about three years during which he lived retired.  His 
first venture in this line was the "Keystone House," which he conducted 
for some time, later becoming proprietor of Kearney's Cafe, on 
Independence street Shamokin, opposite the Philadelphia & Reading 
railroad station.  He ran this establishment for four years, after which 
he lived retired for three years, in July, 1908, becoming proprietor of 
the "Exchange Hotel," which he still conducts, together with an 
excellent cafe. This hotel enjoys a large patronage, which under Mr. 
Kearney's management has widened to an appreciable degree. He has 
thirty-five rooms, and the house is well equipped to cater to those who 
value comfort and good service. Mr. Kearney has the disposition 
necessary to success as a hotel landlord, anticipating the wants of his 
guests and being most accommodating in supplying them.  He is affable 
and courteous in his dealings with his guests and thoroughly business-
like in all that pertains to their well-being.  He is a Democrat, a 
member of St. Edward's Catholic Church, of the Shamokin Lodge of Elks 
and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
	In 1890 Mr. Kearney married Ellen Moser, daughter of Henry Moser, 
of Philadelphia, who followed a seafaring life; he was a member of the 
Moser family that had valuable land holdings in Schuylkill county, 
Pennsylvania.  Mr. and Mrs. Kearney have had three Children:  Loretta, 
born in 1892; Matthew, born in 1894; and Lillian, who died in infancy.

	WILLIAM E. KEARNEY, son of Matthew and Ann (Devitt) Kearney, was 
born Jan. 11, 1859, in Trevorton, Northumberland county.  He received 
his education in the public schools of Shamokin, and for several years 
after commencing work was engaged at the mines, beginning as a slate 
picker and rising through the various positions until he became a full-
fledged miner, in which capacity he was employed for two years. He was 
not content however, and in August, 1881, he went to New York City in 
the hope of finding more congenial employment. He soon became an 
apprentice at the barber's trade, which he not only learned in all the 
ordinary branches but also that of hair dressing, as well as the 
manufacture of hair jewelry, wigs, etc. After two years in New York City 
he returned to Shamokin, where he started in the business on his own 
account conducting a large hair dressing establishment and also making 
wigs and all kinds of hair jewelry and ornamental work. He built up a 
large trade, having a reputation for superior and conscientious work 
which brought him a most profitable patronage.  Meantime, as he 
prospered, he acquired large real estate interests in the borough of 
Shamokin and the surrounding neighborhood of Coal township, and he has 
dealt largely in real estate in this locality on his own account and in 
the interest of others. In the fall of 1898 he was awarded the contract 
by the borough of Shamokin for the paving of Independence street, its 
principal thoroughfare, the contract amounting to about twenty thousand 
dollars. In March, 1889, Mr. Kearney and his brother Matthew, in 
association with W. E. Deibert, organized the Shamokin Lock & Novelty 
Manufacturing Company, a concern which has had a most prosperous 
existence. In 1905 Mr. Kearney purchased the "Edgewood Hotel," in 
Shamokin, which has since enjoyed a large patronage, and in 1909 he 
leased and opened the "Loraine Hotel," at the corner of Spruce and 
Market streets, in the same borough.  His success in this line has been 
gratifying, and since he has had both establishments he has had special 
facilities for catering to the comfort of his guests, who appreciate his 
obliging service and show their appreciation by their continued support.
	In 1909 Mr. Kearney entered into a new branch of business, one 
entirely different from anything else he had undertaken, but in which he 
has met with the same success which has attended his previous 
enterprises. He began the growing of mushrooms, to the cultivation of 
which he now has about 6,000 feet of ground devoted, finding a large 
demand for his output in the Philadelphia and New York City markets as 
well as a good local trade.
	As may be judged from a mere mention of the various lines in which 
he has been interested, Mr. Kearney has always been a very busy and 
enterprising man, for be has worked industriously and intelligently to 
make his undertakings successful, and has succeeded.  Moreover, he has 
found time to interest himself in politics and public affairs, having 
long been an enthusiastic worker in the Democratic party; taking active 
part in local, State and national conventions, and serving as delegate 
in the convention which nominated Jenks for governor of Pennsylvania and 
as alternate to the convention which nominated Polk for Congress.  In 
1890 Mr. Kearney was elected justice of the peace, in which office he 
served two successive terms, until 1900.
	On April 28, 1892, Mr. Kearney married Margaret Sweeney, and to 
their union have been born five children: Matthew Wilfred A.; Daniel 
Webster; Mary Margaret Adela; Louise, and Loraine.

	FRANK H. STROUSS, attorney at law, a citizen of the borough of 
Mount Carmel, was born there Feb. 24, 1878, son of Solomon Strouss. The 
Strouss family has been settled in this section of Pennsylvania since 
the time of his great-grand-father, Jacob Strouss, who was born near 
Stroudsburg, Monroe county, and was a pioneer of Montour county, 
settling about two miles from the 
	
	END OF PAGE 590
	
town of Exchange. He was a millwright, and followed his trade for some 
time, but farming was his principal occupation in the region, and he 
became very prosperous, owning three farms.  He lived retired many years 
before his death, which occurred in March, 1868, when he was ninety-two 
years old. His wife was Catherine Newhart, and they are buried at 
Turbutville, Northumberland county. They had children as follows: 
Charles, David, Jonathan, Levi, Aaron, Annie (married Henry Shoop) and 
Rebecca (married Jacob Gringer).
	Jonathan Strauss, son of Jacob, born in 1816, lived in Montour 
county, for some time at Comly. By occupation he was a farmer. He died 
at Comly Oct. 9, 1888, aged seventy-two years, seven months, and his 
wife, Sarah Truckenmiller, born in 1818, daughter of Solomon and  
Mary (Schwartz) Truckenmiller, passed away Sept. 6, 1902, aged eighty-
four years, nine months, twenty-six days. Mr. and Mrs. Strauss are 
buried at Turbutville, this county. Their children were: Jacob Henry 
married Esther Reedy and they live at Muncy; David is living at Muncy; 
Solomon is mentioned below; John E. married Martha Calvins; Mary married 
John Koons.
	Solomon Strauss was born in Lewis township, Northumberland county, 
in 1845.  He received only a common school education and learned the 
butcher's trade, which he followed about three years at Mount Carmel.  
His next employment was as shipping clerk at the Alaska colliery, and he 
was later at the Reliance, remaining in the employ of the Reading 
Company about twenty-eight years, during which long service he became 
one of the trusted men.  He died in 1909 and is buried at the Alaska 
cemetery. Mr. Strauss married Christian Reinard, of Mount Carmel, where 
she still resides. They had the following children: Frank H., Ida M. 
Carrie G. and Grover Shindel.
	Frank H. Strouss is a self-made man, having gained his education 
and attained his present standing through his own efforts.  Beginning as 
a slate picker at the collieries, he continued his studies in the local 
schools and graduated at the Mount Carmel high school in 1896, after 
which he entered Dickinson Law School, at Carlisle, where he was 
graduated in 1898, with the degree of LL. B. He also read law in the 
office of Hon. Vans Auten, at Mount Carmel, and was admitted to the bar 
of Northumberland county Dec. 4, 1900, and to practice in the Superior 
court Jan. 5, 1903. On Jan. 1. 1903, be began his practice at Mount 
Carmel in the P.O.S. of A. building, where he is still located.  During 
his school and college days Mr. Strouss continued to work at the 
collieries at different times until 1900, from which time until 1903 he 
was in the prothonotary's office at Sunbury. He has obtained a most 
creditable clientele in the locality, served as solicitor of Mount 
Carmel borough in 1908, and enjoys the confidence of his friends and 
fellow citizens generally, his success being recognized as the well 
earned reward of earnest endeavor and conscientious devotion to duty.
	Mr. Strouss married Gertrude Morse, daughter of George, of Mount 
Carmel, and they have one child, Carleton M., born Sept. 30, 1906. 
Socially Mr. Strouss is a member of Lodge No. 378, F. & A.M., of Mount 
Carmel, of the F.O.E., and of the Bar Association.  In religion he is a 
Lutheran, and in politics a Democrat, quite active in his party.

	CHARLES A. BARRON, who has been engaged in the drug business at 
Shamokin since 1883, is one of the best known men in his line in that 
part of Northumberland county. His trade is large and well established 
and his reputation as a druggist and in a business way is of the 
highest.
	Mr. Barron was born June 22, 1855, at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., 
Pa., son of Daniel Barron. His paternal grandfather brought his family 
from France to America and settled in Pine valley, near Hegins, 
Schuylkill county.  There he died.
	Daniel Barron came to America with his parents. He became a 
blacksmith by trade, and while living at Pottsville engaged in 
wagonmaking, gaining considerable fame and success in that line. Later 
he settled at Elysburg, Northumberland county, where he followed farming 
as well as general blacksmithing, prospering by industry, continued to 
the end of his active days. He served as captain of a military company 
of Schuylkill county. Mr. Barron died at the age of eighty-four years, 
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Kelley, and his wife, Margaret, died 
Jan. 1, 1893, aged sixty-nine years, ten months, eight days; they are 
buried at Reed's church.  They had children as follows: Theodore F., who 
is in the insurance and real estate business at Ashland, Pa.; Curtis H., 
who went West when a young man and is now living in South Dakota, 
practicing as an attorney at law; Clara E., wife of William Krause; 
Charles A.; and Mrs. Kelley, wife of Dr. J. J. Kelley.
	Charles A. Barron attended public school at Elysburg and in 1872 
came to Shamokin, where he has continued to make his home to the present 
time. He began work as a clerk in the employ of the late William R. 
Kutzner, with whom he remained eleven years, until he went into business 
for himself.  In September, 1883, he formed a partnership with Dr. 
Robins and Dr. Weaver, the firm being known as C. A. Barron & Co. This 
association lasted for nine years, when the firm became Barron & 
Robbins, continuing as such until 1908, when Mr. Barron became sale 
proprietor. His well known store is at No. 610 North Shamokin street. 
Mr. Barron is a director of the Shamokin Banking Company. 
	
	END OF PAGE 591
	
	On May 4, 1882, Mr. Barron married Mary E. Jones, daughter of the 
late Enoch Jones, and a member of a family widely and favorably known in 
Shamokin. Three children have been born to this union: Howard Curtis, an 
attorney at law, now located at Wheeling, W. Va.; Charles A., Jr., a 
druggist who is with his father; and Ruth Elizabeth., Mr. Barron is a 
member of Lodge No. 355, B.P.O. Elks, of Shamokin, and of the following 
Masonic bodies: Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, F. & A.M.; Shamokin Chapter, 
No. 264, R.A.M.; Shamokin Commandery, No. 77, K.T.; and Rajah Temple, 
A.A.O.N.M.S., of Reading.

	AMOS K. DEIBLER, district attorney of Northumberland county, has 
been engaged in legal practice at Shamokin since 1902, and was elected 
to, his present position in 1907. Mr. Deibler was born Feb. 11, 1869, in 
Shamokin township, this county, where his grandfather, George Deibler, 
was a pioneer settler.
	George Deibler was born in Dauphin county, Pa., and came to 
Northumberland county about 1812, locating in Shamokin township, where 
he purchased land in 1813 and followed farming the remainder of his 
active days. He was one of the substantial and respected residents of 
his section, and Deiblers Station, in Shamokin township, was named for 
him. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Bastian, are buried at the 
Brick Church, at Reed's Station. They had children as follows: Daniel, 
William, Jonathan, John, George, Susan, Hannah, Rebecca, Harriet and 
Catharine.
	John Deibler, son of George, was born  in Shamokin township in 
1836.  He learned the trade of stone and brick mason, which he followed 
until he was about forty years old, after which he devoted himself to 
farming, on property he still owns, about a half mile south of Deibler's 
station. He retired in the year 1903, moving to Snydertown, where he now 
makes his home. Mr. Deibler has long been a stanch Republican in 
political sentiment, and he served the Union as a soldier during the 
Civil war.  He was township treasurer before his removal to Snydertown. 
To him and his wife, Sarah (Reed), daughter of John I. and Sarah (Arter) 
Reed, have been born nine children, namely:  Grant who died in infancy; 
Almeda, married to Frank Washington, of Snydertown; Amos K.; William F., 
who is now superintendent of boiler works at San Francisco, Cal.; John 
E., a contractor and builder, of South Carolina; H. S., living in 
Sunbury, this county;. Thomas J., of Snydertown; George W., and Agnes. 
The two last named are still living with their parents.
	Amos, K. Deibler received his early education in the public schools 
of the home locality. Later he attended Bucknell University, from which 
be was graduated in 1899, with the degree of A. B., and for a year after 
he taught the high school at Turbutville, meantime reading law with C. 
B. Witmer, Esq., at Sunbury. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1902, 
and in the fall of that year established himself in the borough of 
Shamokin. His offices are in the Masonic Temple building. At the 
election held Nov. 7, 1907, Mr. Deibler was chosen to the office of 
district attorney by a majority of 2,265, and had the distinction of 
being the first successful Republican candidate for the office in 
thirty-six years. This circumstance alone would indicate the measure of 
his popularity and the confidence in which he is held by those among 
whom he is pursuing his life work.
	Mr. Deibler is very well known in the fraternal bodies in Shamokin, 
holding membership in Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, F. & A.M.; Shamokin 
Chapter, No. 265, R.A.M.; in Bloomsburg Consistory, thirty-second 
degree; in the Temple Club; the I.O.O.F.; the Red Men; the Sons of 
Veterans; the F.O.E.; and the P.O.S. of A. His religious connection is 
with the Methodist church.
	On April 24, 1901, Mr. Deibler married Ella Farrow, daughter of 
William and Isabella (Wilkenson) Farrow, and they have had one daughter, 
Isabella.

	SAMUEL H. RUTHRAUFF, one of the leading contractors of Sunbury, 
Northumberland county, has been a resident of that borough since 1882. 
He began business on his own account in 1894, and has been identified 
with a number of important building operations, his work standing the 
tests for substantial and reliable construction.  Mr. Ruthrauff was born 
in Union county, Pa., on Little Buffalo creek, Oct. 12, 1845, and is a 
son of Daniel Ruthrauff and grandson of Henry Ruthrauff.
	Henry Ruthrauff was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 11, 1767, and spent 
his earlier life in his native State.  Going to Baltimore, Md., he 
learned shipbuilding, and continued to live there until about 1795, when 
he settled in Union county, Pa., at the junction of Little Buffalo and 
Big Buffalo creeks.  He moved from Baltimore by wagon, and was 
considered a wealthy man in his day, having two "kegs" full of gold 
money when he came into this region. He had a tract of about three 
hundred acres in White Deer township, and was one of the earliest 
settlers in that district. He followed farming the remainder of his 
life, cleared all his land, built a barn on his place, and about 1815 
put up a frame house thereon, which is still standing and in a good 
state of preservation. Mr. Ruthrauff died June 3, 1824, quite suddenly, 
while engaged in hewing a watering trough out of a log. His wife, 
Magdeline Renninger, a native of Cumberland county, Pa., born May 20, 
1768, died June 5, 1838, and they are buried at old 
	
	END OF PAGE 592 
	
White Deer Church. He was a Lutheran, a member and supporter of White 
Deer Church, and a strict man in his own life and in the discipline of 
his children. He and his wife were the parents of a family of fourteen, 
several of whom died young, of smallpox, and were buried in the garden 
near the home. We have record of the following: Elizabeth married John 
High; Henry married Elizabeth Seibert, and after living for a time in 
Union county they moved to Seneca Falls, where he died; Sallie married 
William Dieffenbacher, and they lived near Salladasburg, Pa.; David 
lived in New York State; Samuel married a Miss Pontius and they lived 
near Seneca Falls, N. Y.; Nancy married Jacob Buser and they moved to 
Warren, Ill. (she lived to be ninety-three years, six months old); 
Solomon married Lydia Millhouse and moved out to Freeport, Ill., where 
he accumulated a large fortune; Hannah married George Matthews, and they 
lived and died at Canoga, N. Y.; Daniel was the father of Samuel H. 
Ruthrauff.
	Daniel Ruthrauff was born May 29, 1813, in, Union county, and in 
his youth learned the carpenter's trade, becoming a skillful woodworker. 
He had an inventive mind and possessed mechanical genius of a high order 
and a good intellect, but be never developed his abilities to any extent 
or made great profits out of his undoubted talents. He invented the fly 
net cutting machine, and having shown it to a family who foresaw its 
possibilities was asked to let them keep it a few days. They stole the 
invention, had it patented, and became rich in its manufacture. Mr. 
Ruthrauff was a useful citizen, taking an intelligent interest in all 
the affairs of his day, in which he was something of a leader, being a 
lieutenant of the McEwensville Light Horse Cavalry in its palmiest days, 
and the last captain of the old State militia. He was courageous, 
patriotic and public-spirited, a man who held the respect of all who 
knew him. In his earlier life a Whig, he became a Republican upon the 
organization of the new party, and in religion he was a Methodist.  He 
served many years as school director of White Deer township. Mr. 
Ruthrauff married Judith Ann High, who was born Jan. 6, 1815, daughter 
of Samuel High, and died Nov. 21, 1902, on the sixty-third anniversary 
of her marriage.  Mr. Ruthrauff died Nov. 3, 1876, and they are buried 
at Pomfret Manor cemetery, Sunbury. They had the following children: 
William H. H. died in infancy; Mary C. married Joseph Nicklin (he was 
captured while serving in the Confederate army and taken to Elmira, 
where he remained until exchanged, after which he fought in a New York 
regiment); Samuel H. is mentioned below; David L. died when four years 
old; Annie married John W. Hummer and lived in Rush township, 
Northumberland county (she died July 16, 1886, the mother of Mother L., 
Dora A., M. Abbie, Morris and Virginia); Daniel R., who is now an 
invalid, living in Sunbury, married Sarah Dock, of Snyder county, and 
they have a daughter, Ida L.; Didama P. is unmarried.
	Samuel H. Ruthrauff was born and reared on the old Ruthrauff 
homestead and received his education in the country schools of the 
locality. He was trained to carpentry from early boyhood, and when 
twenty years old began to follow it as a journeyman, in the oil regions 
in Venango county, this state. In 1882 he came to Sunbury and became 
foreman for George Keffer, contractor, for whom he worked a number of 
years, in 1894 beginning to take contracts on his own account. Since 
that time he has filled many important contracts. He has built the two 
United Evangelical churches; the Catholic church and rectory; the A. W. 
Pontius store and residence; the fine residences of the two members of 
the firm of Blank & Gottshall; two of the leading school buildings of 
the borough - the Lloyd T. Rohrbach building (1909), and the Francis E. 
Drumheller building (1910), said to be one of the finest buildings in 
the eastern part of the State; and many other structures - about four 
hundred all told. While in the employ of Mr. Keffer he worked all over 
the State, but his work has been principally in Sunbury since he began 
business for himself. He is one of the most progressive and energetic 
business men in the borough, thoroughly up-to-date in his line, in which 
he is considered a most reliable authority. He served nine years as a 
member of the council from the Eighth ward, and was chairman of the 
street committee three years, a position for which he proved himself 
highly qualified. Mr. Ruthrauff has had a most successful career, and 
his prosperity has been brought about by the most honorable methods and 
creditable transactions, gaining him the confidence and respect of his 
patrons and all who know him.
	On Dec. 23, 1875, Mr. Ruthrauff married Lydia Hummer, daughter of 
Joseph Hummer (who came from New Jersey) and sister of John W. Hummer. 
They have no children.  Mr. and Mrs. Ruthrauff worship at the Methodist 
Church, and socially he belongs to Lodge No. 96, B.P.O.E, Lodge No. 620, 
I.O.O.F., and the Knights of Malta (charter member), all of Sunbury. 
Politically he is a Republican.  His home is at No. 101 Catawissa 
avenue.

	REV. JOHN F. RUTHRAUFF, (brother of Henry Ruthrauff, mentioned 
above as grandfather of Samuel H. Ruthrauff, of Sunbury) was a pioneer 
missionary minister and head of a famous family of American Lutheran 
pastors, his sons Frederick and Jonathan becoming eminent preachers (the 
former serving congregations in southeastern Pennsylvania and Maryland 
for nearly forty years, and the latter 
	
	END OF PAGE 593
	
serving for twenty-five years) and his grandson William P. filling 
important pulpits in Ohio and Indiana; his great-grandson, Rev. J. M. 
Ruthrauff, D. D., was the honored president of Carthage and Wittenberg 
Colleges.
	John F. Ruthrauff was born Jan. 14, 1764; in Northampton county, 
Pa., and his parents were pious German immigrants who early impressed 
him with religious truths. He did not commence his regular theological 
training, however, until 1790, and he preached his first sermon in 1793.  
During the next two years he had charge of several churches in York 
county, and subsequently preached for a season at Carlisle. His 
biographer tells us that in June, 1795, "he received and accepted a call 
for the Green Castle congregation and several others, in some of which 
he labored upwards of forty years." His charge embraced McConnellsburg, 
London, Mercersburg, Waynesboro, Quincy, Smoketown, Jacob's Church and 
several in Washington county, Md.  He also preached in the neighborhood 
of Emmitsburg, Md., and for a time at Chambersburg, and continued to 
supply the congregation at Carlisle and another about twelve miles from 
Harrisburg.  This was distant from his home about fifty miles, and he 
made the journey once every month.  Some of his congregations were 
fifteen or twenty miles apart, and a high mountain separated two of the 
churches he had to serve on the same Sabbath. As soon as he left the 
pulpit he mounted his horse, with his dinner in his hand, that he might 
be able to meet the second appointment of the day. He had a vigorous 
constitution and great powers of endurance, so that he was well fitted 
for the work of the missionary pioneer.  A score or more ministers are 
now engaged in serving the field which Mr. Ruthrauff then occupied 
alone.  This devoted servant of the Master continued his labors as 
pastor until the year before his death. He died Dec. 18, 1837, in the 
seventy-fourth year of his age.  His last words were "Victory, victory, 
the Lord is here." - The above is taken from the "Lutheran Woman's 
Work," September, 1909.

	MARK L. SWAB, of Sunbury, deputy county treasurer of Northumberland 
county, has been serving in his present position since Jan. 1, 1909, 
under Treasurer William M. Lloyd.  Previously he had made a high 
reputation in the milling business and ranked among the most progressive 
and successful young business men of the borough, where he has resided 
since 1902. Mr. Swab is a native of Dauphin county, Pa., born Jan. 18, 
1880, at Elizabethville, and comes of an old family of that section 
whose members have occupied high place in business and political circles 
for many years.
	Eli Swab, son of John Jacob Swab and grandfather of Mark L. Swab, 
took a very prominent part in the affairs of Dauphin county. He served 
several terms as county commissioner and was known as Republican leader 
of the upper end of the county.  One of his sons, Philip C. Swab, filled 
the office of register and recorder for two terms and was otherwise 
identified with public matters in Dauphin county during his residence 
there.  Subsequently he removed to Hartranft, Tenn., where he became 
interested in the coal and mining business, his son, Daniel C. Swab, 
becoming his associate in that line. The latter was admitted to the bar 
and attained an eminent position, being now State senator from 
Tennessee.
	Allen Swab, son of Eli, was born March 17, 1845. He is a prominent 
citizen of Elizabethville, Dauphin county, and connected with some of 
the most important industrial and financial institutions of his region, 
being treasurer of the Eagle Tanning Company, of Elizabethville, and a 
director of the First National Bank of Millersburg, that county.  He was 
formerly president of the Lykens Valley Bank of Elizabethville.  He is a 
large owner of real estate, his holdings including part of the original 
Swab homestead in the Lykens valley, in Dauphin county, upon which the 
pioneer of the family in that section, Jacob Schwab, located about the 
time of the Revolution, coming from Reading, Berks county. Mr. Swab owns 
100 acres of the homestead place, which was a tract of 241 acres, for 
which his ancestor paid nine hundred pounds in English money. He is a 
man of proved ability, conservative but progressive, one who holds the 
confidence of his fellow citizens and is looked upon as a substantial 
and reliable member of the community in every respect.  He is a stanch 
Republican, and has held a number of local public offices.
	Mr. Swab married Ann Eliza Lehman, daughter of John and Dinah 
(Koppenhaver) Lehman, the former a farmer of Mifflin township, Dauphin 
county, and they have had three children: Laura M., deceased, who was 
the wife of Rev. W. Penn Barr, of Weatherly, Carbon Co., Pa.; Elenora, 
married to I. W. Matter and living in West Fairview, Cumberland Co., 
Pa.; and Mark L.
	Mark L. Swab lived on the old Swab homestead until he was sixteen 
years old, and received his early education in the common schools of 
Elizabethville. He subsequently entered the University of Philadelphia, 
where he took the business course, graduating in 1899, and was later a 
student at the Bank Business College in Philadelphia. For two years Mr. 
Swab was in the employ of the United States Express Company at 
Wilmington, Del., as billing clerk, and for three years after completing 
his commercial training he was with the Eagle Tanning Company at 
Elizabethville, as secretary. Selling out his interests in that concern, 
he came to Sunbury in 1902, and for about a year thereafter was engaged 
by the Susquehanna Silk Mill 
	
	END OF PAGE 594
	
as bookkeeper.  He then entered the milling business, leasing the 
historic old Haas Mill, which he conducted for a period of five and a 
half years as the Sunbury Roller Mills, making a decided success of the 
venture. This mill was built in 1837 by McCarty & Davis, in the extreme 
eastern end of Sunbury near Shamokin creek, near the site where, before 
1774, stood the first mill erected within the present limits of 
Northumberland county. It is a substantial brick structure, and the 
milling was done originally, perforce, by water power. The equipment was 
changed from time to time to keep up with the progress of the day, and 
in 1887 was remodeled to a modern system. During Mr. Swab's ownership it 
had all facilities necessary for an up-to-date flour mill, and the 
capacity was sixty barrels daily. His product had a high reputation and 
was in steady demand.
	Mr. Swab, like most of his family, has been active in politics, and 
he is regarded as one of the local leaders of the party, for which he 
has worked faithfully in many contests. He served two years as member of 
the borough council of Sunbury, and during his second year was president 
of that body, being chosen to that honorable position after a fierce 
fight between the two factions.  He is at present giving his energies to 
the duties of deputy  county treasurer.  Mr. Swab is one of the most 
prominent young men in Sunbury, well known socially as well as in 
business and official circles. He is a member of Lodge No. 22, F. & 
A.M., of Sunbury; Northumberland Chapter, No. 174, R.A.M.; Mount Hermon 
Commandery, No. 85, K.T.; Lodge No. 267, B.P.O. Elks, Sunbury; and of 
the Modern Woodmen. He and his family belong to the Lutheran Church.
	On May 25, 1904, Mr. Swab married Kate A. M. Stanley, daughter of 
Dr. A. G. Stanley, of Lykens, Pa., and they have had one daughter, 
Arlene May.

	GEORGE O. ROBERTS, D.D.S., of Shamokin, practicing dentist and 
secretary of the Shamokin Dental Protective Society, is well known to 
the public and the profession in his chosen line of work.  He has been 
located in Shamokin since 1901.
	Dr. Roberts was born Nov. 13, 1868, at Savannah, Ga., where his 
father and grandfather lived and died. Henry Roberts, his father, was a 
well known business man of Savannah, being the leading spirit of the 
Savannah Brick Manufacturing Company; the grandfather was also a brick 
manufacturer.  Henry Roberts died in September, 1901, at the age of 
sixty-five years.  His wife, Mary (Puder), a native of New Orleans, La., 
still makes her home in Savannah.  Mr. and Mrs. Roberts had six 
children: William H., who is now in New York; George O.; Lottie, wife of 
Dr. E. H. Rawles, living in North Dakota; Ada, wife of W. C. Gugel of 
Mobile, Ala.; Nellie, Mrs. Kahler, of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Josephine, 
at home.
	George O. Roberts  received his preparatory education in the 
schools of his native city. For his professional training he went to the 
Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, from which institution he graduated 
in 1891. He began practice at Asheville, N. C., where he was located for 
seven years, spending the next three years in the city of Philadelphia, 
Pa. He also spent some time at Baltimore and Williamsport before 
settling, in September, 1901, at Shamokin, where he succeeded to the 
practice of Dr. A. A. Lay.  Dr. Roberts does all kinds of mechanical and 
operative dentistry, being thoroughly skilled in the branches of his 
profession, as the result of both training and experience. He devotes 
all his time and attention to its duties, and has built up a remarkably 
good practice, his work having the highest reputation. He has fine 
offices in the Llewellyn building, and his equipment is modern and 
complete.  The Doctor is up-to-date in all that pertains to his work, 
and the Shamokin Dental Protective Society was organized in his office; 
he is serving as secretary of that body.  The Doctor is lecturing knight 
for Shamokin Lodge of Elks, No. 355, of which he is a prominent member.
	In 1907 Dr. Roberts married Jeanne May, daughter of the late Maj. 
James May, of Shamokin, and they have one daughter, Louisa.  They reside 
at No. 223 Franklin street.

	WILLIAM J. HIGGINS, of Mount Carmel, where he has been engaged in 
the furniture, undertaking and livery business for almost thirty years, 
is undoubtedly one of the best known citizens of his section of 
Northumberland county. During his long residence in the borough he has 
become interested in other lines of business, having since 1905 been the 
director of the Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and he has 
numerous social connections.
	Mr. Higgins is a grandson of William Higgins, a native of Ireland, 
who came to America when a young man, some ninety years ago and settled 
in Schuylkill county, Pa. He was one of the pioneer settlers at Tamaqua; 
that region being in its primitive condition when he first made his home 
there.
	John F. Higgins, son of William, was born in 1837 in Tamaqua, and 
was long a well known resident of Shenandoah, Schuylkill county, where 
he died in 1893. He learned the trade of molder, which he followed for 
some years, later, however, engaging in the shoe business. He served as 
tax collector of Shenandoah in 1891 and 1892, and was quite active in 
the work of the Democratic party in his locality.  He married Margaret 
Franey, and to them were born the following named children: Alice, wife 
of Edward Ratchford, of Shenandoah, Pa.; William J.; John F., Jr., of 
	
	END OF PAGE 595
	
Shenandoah, who served as State senator from the Thirtieth Senatorial 
district; George J., of Shamokin, local agent of the Philadelphia & 
Reading road and also agent of the United States Express Company; 
Melissa M.; James C.; Nellie F.; Kate M.; Charles C.; and Julia A. Most 
of this family live in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania.
	William J. Higgins was born Dec. 11, 1861, at Tamaqua, Schuylkill 
county, where he received his early education.  He then entered 
Villanova College, near Philadelphia, and in 1881 came to Mount Carmel, 
where he has since been located. He embarked in the furniture, 
undertaking and livery business, being one of the first in the borough 
to engage in undertaking, which has to the present been his specialty.  
He did not long continue the furniture line.  During the thirty years he 
has been located in Mount Carmel he has conducted about thirty-five 
hundred funerals. He built his place of business, at No. 40 South Market 
street, in 1882, and his residence is next door. Mr. Higgins's business 
has brought him into contact with many citizens of this vicinity, in all 
the walks of life, and his efficient services and progressive methods, 
no less than his estimable personality, have won him the respect of all 
with whom he has had dealings in any of the relations of life  He is a 
director of the Anthracite Building and Loan Association, the oldest 
institution of its kind in Mount Carmel, and since 1905 has been 
connected with the Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Company in the same 
capacity. He had served in the council as representative from the Third 
ward, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Higgins is 
treasurer of the local organization of the Foresters; treasurer of Aerie 
No. 644, F.O.E.; member of the Eagles Home Association; of the A.O.H.; 
the Sons of Veterans; and the Knights of Columbus.  He is a Catholic in 
religions faith and a member of the Catholic Total Abstinence Society.
	On Sept. 14, 1887, Mr. Higgins married Mary McGailey, and to them 
have been born seven children: Margaret, William, Aloysius, Ignatius, 
John Mary and Sarah.

	DAVID C. WOLF, senior member of the Sunbury Construction Company, 
contractors and builders of the borough of Sunbury, was born Dec. 23, 
1864, in Rockefeller township, Northumberland county, on the old Wolf 
homestead.
	Mr. Wolf's first direct ancestor in this county was his great-
grandfather, Nicholas Wolf, but there is earlier record of those of the 
name here. One John Wolf, who lived in Mahanoy township,  having made 
his last will and testament March 7, 1784, and died in April, 1784.  His 
brother George and Robert Martin, Esq., were his executors, and it 
appears that John had no children,  but left all his estate to the 
children of his brother George, namely: Henry, John, George and Philip. 
If these Wolfs were of the same family as the forefathers of David C. 
Wolf, the records at hand do not show the connection.
	Nicholas Wolf was a native of Lehigh county, where he lived upon 
and owned land in White Hall township upon which the Lehigh county 
court-house is located.  It is considered to be among the best 
agricultural land in that county. About 1812 he brought his family from 
Lehigh county to Northumberland county, settling near Seven Points, in 
what is now Rockefeller township, on a farm later owned by Peter Oyster. 
On May 22, 1815, Nicholas Wolf agreed to pay Philip Weiser $113.35 on or 
before May 1, 1820, five year judgment note; under same date, May 22, 
1815, appears, Nicholas Wolf, $225, judgment note, double; another, 
$775.52.  Nicholas Wolf and his family were Lutherans, and are buried in 
the old cemetery at Lantz's church. The older children - if not all - of 
the family were born in Lehigh county, before the removal to 
Northumberland. We have the following record of the family: Abraham was 
the grandfather of David C. Wolf and is mentioned below; Joel, born Aug. 
27, 1805, was a farmer, and lived near the Cross Road church in 
Rockefeller township, and he is buried at that church, where the record 
shows that he died Jan. 25, 1895 (his wife, Mary M., born Aug. 13, 1811, 
died Feb. 20, 1901); John lived in Hollowing Run, in Lower Augusta 
township; Thomas B., born Feb. 26, 1809, lived in Rockefeller township, 
died April 2, 1864, and is buried at Wolf's Cross Road church (his wife, 
Susanna, died Nov. 28, 1887, aged seventy-five years, two months, 
sixteen days); Henry settled at Red Bank, Jefferson Co., Pa.; Polly was 
Mrs. Bacon; another daughter married Israel Steffen; Betsy married 
William Bartholomew; Hannah married Daniel Conrad; Christian married 
John Crissinger.
	Abraham Wolf, son of Nicholas, was born Jan. 22, 1794, in Lehigh 
county, came with the family to Northumberland county, and became a 
farmer, living near Seven Points, on a place of about 150 acres which he 
owned and which is now the property of Ira B. Clement. He died Aug. 26, 
1881, and is buried at Lantz's church.  He was a Lutheran, as was also 
his wife, Susanna (Fasold), who was born Oct. 8, 1798, at 10 o'clock in 
the morning; was baptized Oct. 18th, same year, in the Lutheran faith, 
sponsors Johannes Slichter and his wife Dorothea, and, died Jan. 24, 
1873. Their children were as follows: John died in Rockefeller township; 
Lydia married Henry Malich; Jonathan died July 14, 1874, aged forty-six 
years, eight months, twenty-five days, and is buried at Wolfe Cross Road 
church; Maria married Henry Bloom; Reuben is mentioned below; Gideon, 
born Feb. 13, 1832, lived in Sunbury, and died June 
	
	END OF PAGE 596
	
24, 1909 (his wife Rebecca, born June 22, 1828, died May 24, 1909, and 
they are buried at the Cross Road church); Aaron; Peter; Samuel married 
Eliza Zartman and they live in Los Angeles, Cal.; Henry is unmarried and 
lives at Stella, Nebr.; Louisa married Theodore Chester, of Sunbury.
	Reuben Wolf was born Jan. 21, 1830, on his father's farm in Lower 
Augusta (now Rockefeller) township, and passed the greater part of his 
life on that place, which had been in the Wolf name for many years.  It 
is located in what is snow Rockefeller township, five miles east of 
Sunbury, and contains 130 acres of valuable land, which Mr. Wolf 
cultivated profitably, being a prosperous farmer throughout his active 
years. Some three years before his death he retired and moved into the 
borough of Sunbury, where he died Oct. 8, 1910, when over eighty years 
old. He is buried in the new cemetery at Lantz's church, of which church 
he was in his later life a Lutheran member.
	Mr. Wolf married Harriet Zartman, who died young and is buried at 
Lantz's church. By this union there were two children: A daughter who 
died when small and Mary Alice, wife of John Martz of Sunbury.  Mr. Wolf 
married Mary Hauck who was born in 1831, daughter of David and Anna 
(Lantz) Hauck, of Rockefeller township.  Mrs. Wolf, now (1911) in her 
eighty-first year, makes her home in Sunbury with her son David.  The 
following children were born to this marriage Clara, living in Sunbury, 
widow of William Kniss (she had children, Lloyd, Clayton, Algie and 
Anthony); David C.; Ammon, who died in childhood Maggie, deceased, who 
was the wife of Samuel Gass (she had children, Herman, Daisy. Irwin, 
Margaret and Clara) Anthony, deceased, who married Emma Fasold (left six 
children, Harry Esther, Mary, Joseph, Florence and Ruth); Amelia, wife 
of Irwin Hornberger, of Rockefeller township (had children, Dolan, Ada 
and Grace); and S. Gilbert, of Sunbury (who has a son Charles).
	David C. Wolf attended the public schools of the home locality and 
worked on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-five years.  At 
that time he took up the carpenter's trade, which he learned under John 
Schreffler, and continued to follow that calling as a journeyman until 
he formed his present partnership with William B. Eister, in the year 
1905. They do business under the firm name of the Sunbury Construction 
Company.  Besides general contracting and building, they deal in lumber 
and building material and engage to a considerable extent in the cement 
block business. The office and yard is at No. 128 Awl street, Sunbury.  
The Sunbury Construction Company has erected a number of residences in 
the borough, as well as buildings of other kinds, including the "Aldine 
Hotel," and has considerable repair work.  The business has developed so 
that twenty men are given steady employment and the firm is gaining a 
high reputation for substantial and workmanlike construction and 
thorough reliability in the completion of all contracts. 
	Mr. Wolf is well known in local fraternal circles, being a member 
of Lodge No. 131, Woodmen of the World; of Circle No. 28, an auxiliary 
of the Woodmen of the World; and of Tribe No. 186, I.O.R.M. He attends 
the Reformed Church.
	In 1897 Mr. Wolf married Jennie H. Reefer, who was born in 1866, 
daughter of Samuel Reefer, and died in 1899; she is buried at Lantz's 
church. In 1905 he married (second) Nora Startzel, of Snydertown, this 
county, who died in 1907, at the age of twenty-eight years, and was 
buried at Snydertown. He has no family.

	FRANK J. G. SMITH, general superintendent of the Mount Carmel 
factory of the Cumberland Shirt Manufacturing Company, is a young man of 
enterprise and ability and worthy of the responsible position in which 
he has been retained for several years.  The business of the company has 
more than quadrupled since he first came to Mount Carmel in its interest 
but he has shown himself able to meet the increased demands and has not 
only kept peace with the business but anticipated many important 
changes.
	Mr. Smith was born Oct. 27, 1874, at Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Pa., 
son of Joseph O. and Margaret T. (Ney) Smith. His father was born March 
18, 1849, in Pottsville, that county, and lived there until six months 
after he attained his majority. In 1870 he located at Ashland, where he 
found employment with Wesley Manley, under whom he learned carriage 
building and wagon making. On March 18, 1874, he engaged in that 
business at Ashland on his own account, and has continued same to the 
present being one of the most substantial and respected citizens of that 
place. He has been elected to various local offices, having served as 
councilman, school director and tax collector of the borough, filling 
the latter office (to which he was elected in 1890) three years.  He is 
vice-president of the Tax Payers Association, and has long been a 
prominent member of the Washington Fire Company, which he joined in 1876 
and which he has served as president being now vice-president of the 
company. He is a member of the Catholic Church and a Democrat in 
political opinion.
	On Jan. 8, 1874, Mr. Smith married Margaret T. Ney, who was born 
March 30, 1854, in Schuylkill county, Pa., daughter of Jacob Ney, and 
died Aug. 15, 1903. There were twelve children by this union, born as 
follows: Frank J. G., Oct. 27, 1874; Barbara M., June 10, 1876; Anna J., 
March 17, 1878; William A., Aug. 14, 1879 (died 
	
	END OF PAGE 597
	
young); William L., Dec. 31, 1880; Stella T., Sept. 30, 1882 (died 
young); Margaret R., April 11, 1885 (entered the convent April 24, 1808, 
and is now known as Sister Rufenia); Josephine M.  April 26, 1888; 
Joseph H., March 24, 1890; Stan. N., Feb. 18, 1892; John L., Nov. 17, 
1893; Lucy A., Jan. 14, 1896.
	Frederick Smith, grandfather of Frank J. G. Smith, was born in 
Germany, and came to America in 1848, when twenty-four years old.  He 
settled in Pottsville, Pa., and was one of the early miners at that 
point, where he died when sixty-seven years old. His wife, Barbara M. 
Taan, was also a native of Germany, and they had a family of five 
children, viz.: Joseph O., Adam R., Mary T., Theresa J. and Lebold C.
	Frank J. G. Smith received his education in the schools of Ashland.  
After commencing work in earnest he was with his father for two years, 
after which he was employed by John Dence, selling leathers for a time.  
He was later in the employ of the Light Company at Ashland for four 
years before he entered the employ of the concern with which he has 
since been associated. He was with the company at Ashland until 
transferred to Mount Carmel, in March, 1905. When he first came here the 
factory was a comparatively small affair, at Sixth and Oak streets, with 
equipment and accommodation for sixty hands. In 1907 the present 
factory, 75 by 80 feet in dimensions, and three stories in height was 
erected, and here three hundred and fifty hands are constantly employed 
in the manufacture of shirts with attached collars. An establishment 
which affords profitable employment to so large a number in a community 
of the size of Mount Carmel, is naturally of the utmost importance, and 
the prosperity of the factory has a direct influence on the prosperity 
of the borough. Mr. Smith, as general manager of this extensive plant 
not only occupies an important relation to its owners, but to the local 
industrial situation and his fellow citizens in Mount Carmel generally. 
His stability and thorough efficiency have won him good standing among 
business men, and personally he holds the respect of all who know him.
	On April 27, 1896, Mr. Smith married Rosie Seltzer, and they have 
the following children: Joseph, Francis, May, Raymond, Frederick, Rosie 
and Hilda.
	In religious connection Mr. Smith is a Catholic, and fraternally he 
holds membership in the Knights of Columbus and the Red Men, in which 
latter order he is quite prominent having served as district deputy. He 
is a Democrat in political sympathy, but takes no active part in 
politics or affairs.

	HOOVER. The name Hoover, well known in various parts of 
Northumberland county, was originally Huber, and according to Professor 
Kulins is derived from an old German word, "hutre," implying possession 
of a small tract of land or a farm, which would indicate that the family 
are descended from a sturdy race of Swiss farmers, the original home of 
the Hubers having been in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. Their 
records date back eight hundred years.  In America the name has 
undergone various changes in spelling, and we have Huver, Hover, Hoober 
and Hoover.
	Nearly fifty Hubers landed at Philadelphia prior to the war for 
independence.  Twenty-five more came to America (landing at 
Philadelphia) before 1749, the first being Hans Ulrich Huber, who landed 
Aug. 19, 1729.  On Sept. 21, 1732, there arrived four brothers, 
Christian, Hans, Hans Martin and Jacob, the two last named being under 
sixteen years of age.  Jacob, the youngest, settled in Bucks county, and 
there is record of a deed for property in Plumstead township, that 
county, to Jacob Huber, 1748.  In 1751 a son, Henry, was born to him.
	Henry Huber, born in 1751, son of Jacob, married Margaret Kern, and 
they lived somewhere in Hilltown township, Bucks county, where five 
children were born to them: Christian, Jacob, Philip, Elis and Mary. In 
1797 Henry Huber moved to Gwynedd township (now Montgomery county), 
settling on a farm of two hundred acres which he bought of George Mans 
for eighteen hundred pounds. After his death, which occurred April 9, 
1809, the farm was divided into two tracts, of one hundred acres each, 
the old homestead part going to the son Philip, the other to the son 
Jacob. Margaret (widow of Henry) died Nov. 27, 1813, aged sixty-one 
years, nine months, 29 days. The daughter Eliz married John Rile; the 
daughter Mary married William Kneedler.
	Philip Hoover, son of Henry, was born July 20, 1782, and was a 
prominent man in his day. He was involved in the rebellion precipitated 
by the Alien and Sedition laws passed during the Adams administration, 
and served in the war or 1812. He was a captain of volunteers when only 
eighteen years old, was elected colonel of a regiment of militia, served 
as a member of the State Legislature, and was a prominent church man, 
one of the leading  members of Bochm's Church, which he served as elder 
from 1803 to 1809, as deacon from 1810 until 1823, and after 1823 again 
as elder.  On Nov. 13, 1804, he married Mary Conrad, who was born Aug. 
23, 1785, daughter of Hon. Frederick Conrad (member of Congress for four 
years), and died Oct. 17, 1868. To them were born thirteen children, 
only six of whom, however, reached maturity.  The record of this family 
is as follows: Frederick W.; born Jan. 17, 1806; Julian, Sept. 25, 1807 
(died Nov. 30, 1808); Susanna, July 14; 1809 (died May 25, 1810); Maria; 
April 13, 1811; Henry C., April 
	
	END OF PAGE 598
	
5, 1813 (died Feb. 7, 1816); twin sons, July 6, 1815 (lived only three 
days); a daughter Aug. 25, 1817 (lived only four days); Ann Catharine, 
March 5, 1819 (died Aug. 20, 1820); Hiram Conrad, Oct. 23, 1822; Albert 
C., April 5, 1825; Ann Elizabeth, Dec. 11, 1826; Andrew J.; Nov. 13, 
1828.
	Jacob Huber, son of Henry, born Oct. 28, 1787, came to Upper 
Augusta township, Northumberland county, after his marriage, about 1813, 
settling on a tract of 167 acres, the farm of the late Benjamin Hoover, 
but now the property of the odd Fellows Orphans Home Association, to 
which it was sold in 1898. Jacob Huber was a lifelong farmer.  He and 
his wife Sarah, born Oct. 24, 1788, are buried at St. Luke's Church, 
Snydertown.  They were Lutherans in religions faith.  We have the 
following record of their eight children: Harriet, born Dec. 12, 1811, 
married William Martz and had ten children and thirty-one grandchildren; 
Margaret, born Aug. 25, 1813, married George Shipe and had eleven 
children and twenty-three grandchildren; Thomas, born Jan. 16, 1816, 
died young; Jonathan, born March 29, 1818, had ten children and twenty-
seven grandchildren; Andrew, born Jan. 16, 1821, had ten children and 
eleven grandchildren; Catharine, born June 1, 1823, married Peter Stroh, 
and had eight children and fifteen grandchildren; Benjamin, born Feb. 2, 
1827, had ten children and seven grandchildren; Sarah, born June 28, 
1830, died young. This family changed the spelling of the name to Hoover 
between 1843 and 1845.
	Benjamin Huber or Hoover was born Feb. 2, 1827, and passed all his 
life on the same farm in Upper Augusta township, living and dying at the 
place of his birth. He purchased the homestead about 1855, and 
throughout his life was engaged in farming, in which he was successful. 
He was the first man to run a milk wagon in Sunbury. He was one of the 
active citizens of his community, serving a number of years as road 
supervisor (which office he was filling at the time of his death) and 
also acting as school director; he helped to build the Evert 
schoolhouse. Politically he was a Republican. He and his wife Margaret 
(Keefer), daughter of Daniel Keefer had a family of ten children: 
Catharine, Reuben F., Annie E., Alice, Elizabeth, Maggie, Lettie, 
William A. J., George and Clement.

	WILLIAM A. J. HOOVER, son of Benjamin, was born May 28, 1863, in 
Upper Augusta township, and received his education in the local schools. 
He was reared to farming, but for seven years was engaged in railroading 
on the Reading road, becoming an engineer. He resigned, however, for the 
good of his health, and bought the old Coterman homestead of 173 acres 
in Upper Augusta, upon which place he has farmed since April 1899.
	He is engaged in the wholesale dairy business as well as in general 
agricultural work, and has taken considerable interest in the welfare of 
his locality, having served as roadmaster since 1903.  He served two 
terms as school director resigning from that office. Mr. Hoover is a 
Republican in political opinion. He is a Mason, holding membership in 
Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, F. & A.M.
	In 1888 Mr. Hoover married Laura C. McWilliams, sister of Curtis Q. 
McWilliams, of Shamokin, and a native of Paxinos, Northumberland county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have had nine children: Blanche F., who married 
Howard Emerich, of Shamokin; Benjamin S., deceased in infancy; Alma C.; 
Curtis McW.; Eva M.; Lettie R., deceased in infancy; William Paul; 
Walter B.; and Mary E.

	John Hoover, possibly of the same origin as the Hoovers previously 
mentioned, was born in one of the lower counties of Pennsylvania in 1780 
and lived for many years in Northumberland county, dying near Reed's 
station, in Shamokin township, Oct. 11, 1854. He was a farmer and very 
successful, owning three farms, one of which is now the property of R. 
S. Aucker and another owned by a Duttinger. He was a Lutheran member of 
the "Brick" (Reed's) Church, where both his wives are buried. His first 
marriage was to Margaret Bitter, who died Nov. 11, 1828, aged forty-four 
years, the mother of eight children: Samuel is mentioned later in this 
article; Joseph married Mattie Katerman and had eight children; John 
married Elizabeth Wolverton and had four children; Annie married George 
Krick and had six children; Thomas married Katie Krigbaum and had four 
children; Rebecca married George Keller and had two children; William 
married Louisa Baldy and had six children; Solomon married Ellen Brooks 
and (second) Sallie Fredericks and had seven children, four sons and 
three daughters.
	For his second wife Mr. Hoover married Mary Harman, who died Nov. 
25, 1883, aged eighty-four years, six months, twelve days; her mother, 
Elizabeth, lived in the neighborhood above Bloomsburg. Eight children 
were born to John and Mary (Harman) Hoover, viz.: Louisa married Daniel 
Yost; J. Harman lived at Pottsville. later at Ashland and Schuylkill 
Haven, Pa.; Henry is a resident of Shamokin, Pa.; Isaac, of Holton, 
Kans.; Luther, of Williamsport, Pa.; George, of Holton, Kans.; Francis 
is mentioned below; Amelia married Azariah Campbell.
	Francis Hoover, insurance broker of Shamokin, Northumberland Co., 
Pa., was born Aug. 8, 1842, in Shamokin township, and there grew to 
manhood. He received the advantages afforded by the local public 
schools, but he is a self-made man, having made his own way from boyhood 
and risen to a substantial position through his own efforts. 
	
	END OF PAGE 599
	
In 1859 be commenced to learn carpentering, which he followed for eight 
years in all, and for another eight years was engaged at pattern-making. 
For the next sixteen years he had a store at No. 19 North Shamokin 
street, in the borough of Shamokin, carrying on a mercantile business, 
but he was obliged to abandon that line on account of his health, 
withdrawing from it in 1892. For several years be was engaged in city 
work, being clerk of the poor district and for eight years health 
inspector, and in 1909 he entered the fire insurance business, in which 
he has established a profitable patronage.
	Mr. Hoover has been active in the various organizations of a 
social, fraternal or religious nature with which he has been identified.  
He is a Methodist and served many years as trustee of the church, being 
long secretary of the board of trustees. He is one of the two surviving 
charter members of Shamokin Lodge, No. 664, I.O.O.F., of which he has 
been a member since 1865, and he also belongs to the Odd Fellows 
Encampment. Politically he is an independent Republican.
	On Dec. 24, 1865, Mr. Hoover married Mary E. Lewis, daughter of 
William and Elizabeth (Douty) Lewis, of Pottsville, Pa., and they had a 
family of seven children: Charles, born Feb. 4, 1867, died June 1, 
1867; George W., born Sept. 11, 1869, died in April, 1870; John 
Frederick, born May 23, 1874, died Aug. 7, 1874; Mary E., born Oct. 10, 
1876, married G. A. Buck, who is station agent at Sunbury; Elmira R., 
born Sept. 7, 1879, married J. T. Shoener, a printer at Shamokin; Bessie 
A., born April 28, 1883, is unmarried and keeps house for her father; 
Raymond F. is mentioned below.  The mother of this family died Dec. 15, 
1907, aged sixty-three years, three months, three days.

	RAYMOND F. HOOVER,  son of Francis, was born Nov. 22, 1887, and 
acquired his education in Shamokin, attending the high school. When 
seventeen years old, on Jan. 6, 1905, he entered the employ of the 
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company at Sunbury, as clerk, and on May 
14, 1909, received promotion for merit to his present position, that of 
Chief clerk at the Reading freight station in Sunbury.  Four men are 
employed at the station. Mr. Hoover has proved himself a reliable young 
man, and he is respected for his industry and capability.
	On Sept. 14, 1909, Mr. Hoover married Lillie M. Wetzel, daughter of 
Nathan G. and Kate (Eyster) Wetzel, of Sunbury.  Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are 
members of the First United Evangelical Church at Sunbury.
	Samuel Hoover, son of John and Margaret (Ritter) Hoover, was born 
Aug. 26, 1806, in Shamokin township, Northumberland county, and in his 
early life followed the cooper's trade. Later he was engaged in tanning 
in partnership with his brother Joseph, doing business in Shamokin 
township for thirty years.  After selling his interest in the tannery to 
Samuel, Joseph settled at Bushnell, Ill., where he is buried.  In 1867 
Samuel Hoover sold out his interest in the tanning business, which is 
now owned by William F. Kline, and bought a farm upon which he spent the 
remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits.  He was an energetic and 
successful man, active in local affairs, served as overseer of the poor 
and in many other township offices, and was a member and generous 
supporter of the Lutheran Church. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow, 
belonging to the lodge at Snydertown. He married Sarah Lee, who was from 
the Swabian Creek district, born Nov. 12, 1804, in Northumberland 
county, and died March 27, 1872, just a month after her husband, whose 
death occurred Feb. 26, 1872. He is buried at Snydertown.  Nine children 
were born to this couple, as follows: Sarah, born March 24, 1833, 
married William Reed, a farmer, and they lived at Reed's station, in 
Shamokin township; John, born Aug. 27, 1834, is deceased; Jacob, born 
April 11, 1836, married Ella Shrives and lives in Bushnell, Ill., a 
retired hardware merchant and farmer; Margaret, born March 13, 1838, 
married Lafayette Savidge, and they lived at Plum Creek and later at 
Snydertown, where she died,. Mr. Savidge afterward continuing to make 
his home at that place (they are buried at the Eden Church); Mary Ann, 
born Jan. 10, 1840, married Edison Wolverton and lives at Holton, Kans.; 
Louisa, born March 28, 1842, was the second wife of Lafayette Savidge, 
and is also deceased; Eli, born March 16, 1844, married Emma Wolverton 
and lived across the river at Riverside, Pa., where he died (he is 
buried at Danville); David, born Oct. 16, 1846, a retired farmer and 
carpenter of Snydertown, lives on the old homestead; Harriet, born Jan. 
31; 1849, is unmarried and living in Snydertown.
	John Hoover, son of Samuel, was born at Snydertown Aug. 27, 1834, 
and before his marriage moved out to Ohio, where he died in 1873 at the 
comparatively early age of thirty-eight years. He is buried at 
Bloomingville, to which place he had first moved and where he married 
Hannah Mead, and they lived near North Monroeville, known as "The 
Prairie; in Erie county, later locating at Wales Corner, four miles east 
of Clyde, in Sandusky county.  He followed farming.  He died at Wales 
Corners, of typhoid fever.  His children were: Oliver, who is now a 
resident of Riverside, Pa.; Wallace A.; Lillian, of Clyde, Ohio, married 
to Frank Derk (they have no children); Cora, married to Elbert Crockett 
and living at Marshall Mo. (they are farming people); and Sarah (called 
Kitty), unmarried, of Tontogany, Ohio. 
	
	END OF PAGE 600
	
	WALLACE A. HOOVER, lumber merchant and planing mill operator at 
Riverside, Pa., was born March 11, 1866, near North Monroeville, Ohio, 
and was educated in the public schools of Wales Corners.  He assisted 
with farm work until be was fifteen years old, at which time he 
commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, following that calling until 
he reached the age of twenty.  Coming to Snydertown, Pa., he worked for 
his uncles Eli and Oliver at carpentering, being thus engaged for five 
years.  He then became a partner of the firm of Oliver Hoover & Co., 
contractors and builders, and besides conducting a planing mill, 
manufactured beehives.  This firm did business at Snydertown for six 
years, at the end of that period moving to Riverside, where the business 
was carried on under the same style four years longer.  Mr. Hoover and 
his brother Oliver then bought the business, which they conducted as 
Hoover Brothers for eleven years, Mr. Wallace A. Hoover becoming sole 
proprietor, by purchase, in March, 1906. He has since continued the 
business alone, and gives employment to twenty men. Mr. Hoover does 
general contracting and building, and has the only lumberyard on the 
south side of the river; his post office is Riverside, and he resides on 
Gearhart street, in that borough, where he is regarded as a substantial 
and valuable citizen.  He is at present serving as school director, and 
while living at Snydertown filled the office of assessor.  In politics 
he is a Democrat.  Fraternally Mr. Hoover holds membership in Danville 
Lodge, No. 224, F. & A.M., Danville Chapter, No. 239, Royal Arch Masons, 
and Calvary Commandery, No. 37, K.T., also of Danville.
	Mr. Hoover married Emma C. Deibler, daughter of Jonathan and 
Elizabeth (Reed) Deibler, of Snydertown.  They have no children.

	GEORGE M. KERSTETTER, a farmer in the upper Plum creek district of 
Rockefeller township, Northumberland county, was born Oct. 5, 1850, in 
Cameron township, where his father was born and where his grandfather 
settled at an early date.
	One George Kerstetter came to this country from Germany, and 
settled near Shamokin, in Northumberland county, where he owned 250 
acres of valuable land at what is now Ferndale, where he died.  The old 
Nelson and Last Chance collieries were located upon this tract, which at 
one time was valued at six million dollars.
	John Kerstetter, son of George, was born at what is now Ferndale, 
near Shamokin, in Coal township, and lived in that township until his 
removal to Cameron township.  His homestead there is now occupied by his 
son Abraham.  He was a shoemaker by trade, and followed farming, owning 
considerable land, now divided into three farms. That part where Abraham 
Kerstetter now makes his home was the homestead; another son, Adam, had 
a second part, which he sold to Nathan Latshaw; and Elias Derk, a son-
in-law, has the third part. Mr. Kerstetter was a leading man among the 
early settlers in that region.  Physically he was tall and slim.  He is 
buried at St. Pauls Church in Cameron township, of which church he was a 
Lutheran member and active in its work, serving in the church council. 
To him and his wife Polly (Raker) were born children as follows: John 
F., of Cameron township, who had a large family; Simon; Salome, who 
married Jacob Weikel; Susan, who married George Latshaw; Catharine, who 
married Elias Derk; Eliza, who married Daniel Kobel; Adam of Coal 
township; and Abraham, of Cameron township.
	Simon Kerstetter, son of John, was born Jan. 17, 1825, in what is 
now Cameron township, where he grew to manhood and resided until 1860, 
farming on his father's land.  He learned the trade of stonemason, which 
he followed during his earlier manhood. From 1860 he farmed in 
Rockefeller township, owning and residing upon the farm now owned by his 
son George M. Kerstetter, a fertile tract of sixty acres situated in the 
Plum creek valley.  There he resided for forty-four years, dying March 
7, 1904.  He is buried at the Emanuel Evangelical Church at Wolfs Cross 
Road in Rockefeller township.  During the Civil war he served on the 
Union side as a member of Company H, 172d Pennsylvania Volunteer 
Regiment. His wife, Hannah (Maurer), was born May 20, 1825, daughter of 
Philip and Sarah (Hornberger)  Maurer, of Little Mahanoy township, and 
died May 4, 1896.  They were the parents of one child, George M.
	George M. Kerstetter was ten years old when he came with his 
parents to Rockefeller township, where he has since resided.  He 
obtained his education in the public schools.  Mr. Kerstetter inherited 
his father's farm, which he has carried on successfully, and has 
improved the property in various ways since it came into his possession, 
bringing it up to date and using modern methods in its cultivation and 
management. He is not only a good farmer but possessed of considerable 
mechanical ability, and does his own shoemaking.  He is a substantial 
and respected citizen of his community, a creditable representative of a 
name old and honored in Northumberland county.
	On July 2, 1871, Mr. Kerstetter married Sarah Zimmerman, daughter 
of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Schlobig) Zimmerman, of Mahantango township, 
Schuylkill Co., Pa., and they have had three children: Mary, who died in 
infancy; William, of Plum Creek; and Emma J., who married W. F. 
Bittinger, of Sunbury.  Mr. Kerstetter and his family are Lutherans; 
members of Wolfs Cross 
	
	END OF PAGE 601
	
Road Church, which he served officially for many years as a member of 
the church council.
	Abraham Kerstetter, son of John and Polly (Raker) Kerstetter, was 
born on the homestead farm, and was reared to farming.  Soon after he 
was twenty years old he began to work in the coal mine's at Shamokin, 
and he has become an experienced miner, having continued to follow the 
work for a number of years. He helped to build the Burnside breaker, and 
worked at that colliery as well as at Bear Valley and Trevorton. When 
quite young he learned the trade of shoe-maker, which he followed for 
some years in Cameron township, while living on the homestead.  He now 
lives on part of his father's property, in Cameron township. He is a 
Democrat in politics, was supervisor of Cameron township for many years, 
and has been prominent in the administration of the affairs of St. Pauls 
Church, in Cameron township, of which he and his family are members, and 
in which he has held office for over a quarter of a  century. His wife, 
Lydia Ann Derk (Derck), is a daughter of Daniel and ____ (Wheary) Derk, 
farming people of Cameron township; Mr. Derk was also a gunsmith and a 
man of general mechanical ability, having a little shop for his work of 
this kind.  Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Abraham 
Kerstetter; Katie, who is unmarried; Francis; Emeline, who died when 
eighteen years old; Peter, of Cameron township; Harry, of Cameron 
township; Franklin D., of Cameron township; Hettie, Mrs. George Wheary; 
John D., of Cameron township; and Sallie, who died aged thirteen years.
	Francis Kerstetter, son of Abraham, was born Nov. 13, 1865, in 
Cameron township, was reared on the farm, and has made his living 
practically since he was eight years old. At that tender age he began 
work about the coal mines as slate picker, then looked after the feeding 
gates, oiled wagons, drove mules and eventually became a conductor on 
the "dinkey" engine, bringing coal from the mines to the breaker.  He 
then drove inside and brought coal out of the earth; drove wagons 
outside, and dumped wagons, working around the mines for twenty-four 
years in all, during which he was a regular miner for many years.  When 
about sixteen he was earning a man's wages. In the spring of 1898 Mr. 
Kerstetter settled down to farming on the place he has since occupied in 
Rockefeller township, having ninety acres (formerly the Peter M. Reitz 
farm) in a high state of cultivation.  He is an energetic man, 
proficient in the use of tools, makes his own harness and also does his 
own shoemaking, and frequently does work in the latter line for 
neighbors. Since 1904 he has also acted as agent for a fertilizer 
company, selling ninety tons of fertilizer per annum.
	In November, 1888, Mr. Kerstetter married Sarah S. Henninger, 
daughter of Nathan Henninger, of Cameron township, and they have had 
seven children: William and Harvey (twins, the latter dying in infancy), 
Nathaniel, Bertha S., Milton, Arabella and Rosa Edna.  Mr. Kerstetter 
and his family worship at the Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, which 
he has served as deacon. Politically he is a Democrat with independent 
proclivities.

	BENJAMIN A. BEALOR, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of 
medicine at Shamokin, Northumberland county, was born April 19, 1879, at 
Herndon, this county, and is the eldest son of a distinguished medical 
practitioner of this section, John W. Bealor.  He is a member of an old 
Pennsylvania family long ago identified with Berks county and for 
several generations with Perry county.
	Mark Bealor, the first of this family of whom we have record, lived 
in Germany until his immigration to America.  He first settled in Berks 
county, Pa., thence moving to Perry county, where he passed the 
remainder of his life, engaged in farming.  He served in the Mexican 
war.
	John Bealor, son of Mark, and the next in the line of descent to 
Dr. Bealor, moved with his father from Berks county to Perry county.  He 
was a farmer by occupation.
	Benjamin F. Bealor, son of John, was born in Perry county, and like 
his father and grand-father became a farmer.  He followed agricultural 
work until his health failed, when he removed to Virginia in the hope of 
regaining his strength, but the change did not benefit him as he 
expected, and he returned to Pennsylvania, settling in Philadelphia.  He 
lived retired there until his death, in the fall of 1897. He married 
Elizabeth Weibley, and they had a family of twelve children, five sons 
and seven daughters. Mr. Bealor was a Democrat and active in the 
politics of his locality, serving as overseer of the poor for two terms; 
in religion he was a member of the Reformed Church and a worker in the 
congregation, serving a number of years as deacon.
	John W. Bealor, son of Benjamin F., was born March 19, 1854, in 
Perry county, and there received his preparatory education in the public 
schools and at the New Bloomfield Academy, from which he was graduated 
in 1873.  He then began to study medicine under Dr. G. A. Richardson, of 
Newport, Perry county, and took the course at the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Md., graduating therefrom with high honors 
in 1876. His first location for practice was at Elliottsburg, Perry 
county, where he remained for years, after which he was at Locust Gap, 
Northumberland county, a year and a half before settling in Shamokin, in 
May, 1882. Here 
	
	END OF PAGE 602
	
he at once entered into a most lucrative general practice, both medical 
and surgical, and in addition established a large drug store, for the 
accommodation of his own patrons and also for general prescription work 
and the sale of pure drugs and druggists sundries of all kinds.  His 
reputation as a physician and druggist is second to none, and his high 
personal standing has been won by years of conscientious service to his 
fellow men. Dr. Bealor is a valued member of the Northumberland County 
Medical Society, and socially he is well known as a member of Shamokin 
Lodge, No. 664, I.O.O.F.; Washington Camp, P.O.S. of A.; and the B.P.O. 
Elks. He is a Democrat in political faith.
	Dr. Bealor married Mary C. Albert, daughter of George Albert, and 
six children were born to them, namely: Benjamin A., Florence E., Quilla 
E., Henry Mark, Helen Mary and John Watt the last named dying when two 
years old.
	Benjamin A. Bealor attended public school in Shamokin, including 
one year in high school, and graduated in 1893 from the Shamokin 
Business College. For three years he was a student at the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, the Baltimore University School of Medicine, at 
Baltimore, Md., from which he was graduated in 1906, subsequently taking 
a post-graduate course at the Atlantic Medical College, at Baltimore, 
from which he was graduated in 1909. Returning to Shamokin at the 
completion of his course he located at No. 51 North Second street. He is 
doing excellent work in his profession, and his patronage during his 
short period of actual practice has been most gratifying.  Dr. Bealor is 
well known among the local fraternal bodies, belonging to the Elks, the 
Royal Arcanum, the Modern Woodmen and the Sons of Veterans.  He is a 
member of the Reformed Church and a Republican in political sentiment.
	On July 30, 1908, Dr. Bealor married Mabel A. Roberts, only 
daughter of E. E. Roberts, of Sunbury, Pa., and they have a son, John 
Albert, born May 26, 1910.

	DODGE. At Northumberland, this county, reside the brothers Charles 
H. Dodge and William Henry Dodge, both of whom are engaged in business 
in that borough and included among its substantial citizens.  They are 
sons of Joseph R. Dodge and grandsons of David Stone Dodge.
	David Stone Dodge was born in 1783 in the State of New Hampshire, 
and went from his native State to Kentucky, where he lived until 1824. 
From there he went to New Jersey and eventually to Northumberland 
county, Pa., keeping a store at Elysburg some years and thence moving to 
Northumberland.  At the latter place he had a rope manufactory, which he 
carried on until his death, employing some thirty men in his 
establishment, which was the leading industrial concern in the borough 
in its day. He served a number of years as justice of the peace after 
coming to Northumberland and was a substantial citizen here as 
elsewhere; be had valuable property holdings at one time, and left an 
estate in Kentucky valued at over $45,000, which his heirs were unable 
to secure possession of because of the lack of legal proof of their 
claims.  He was a Whig in politics and a Presbyterian in religion. 
"Squire" Dodge was first married to a Kentucky woman and the second time 
(in New Jersey or Pennsylvania) to Mary Anderson.  To the first union 
were born eleven children, who are now scattered all over the eastern 
part of Northumberland county. By his second marriage there were two 
sons and one daughter, Emeline, Stephen B. and Joseph R.  Stephen B. 
Dodge was a resident, of Northumberland, and died in 1906 at the age of 
seventy-four years; his children were David S., John, Alice, Heinline 
Stone, Sallie, Harry, Edward, William E. and Fannie.  "Squire," Dodge 
died in 1850, at the age of sixty-seven years, and is buried in 
Riverview cemetery, at Northumberland.  The Dodge family is of English 
descent
	Joseph R. Dodge was born July 31, 1836 at Northumberland, where he 
still makes his home. He received his education in the local schools, 
and at an early age began working in his father's rope factory, spinning 
twine before he was twelve years old. In 1868 he became a puddler, 
working for the Van Alen Company as an iron worker for thirteen years, 
until he met with an accident which crippled his left hand. He then 
built himself a store at the corner of Queen and Second streets, in the 
borough of Northumberland, and engaged in business, dealing in tobacco, 
confectionery, flour and wheat for many years, finally selling out.  For 
two years thereafter, 1893-94, he was jury commissioner of the county, 
was then engaged for some time as agent of the Prudential Insurance 
Company, and in 1905 began driving a bakery wagon for his son, William 
H. Dodge, who is engaged in the baking business in Northumberland. Mr. 
Dodge has always been a Republican, and at one time was quite active in 
the party and in local public affairs, serving nine years as constable 
of the county, eight years as overseer of the poor, one year as 
supervisor, and three years as councilman in his borough.  He has given 
efficient and public-spirited service in every capacity, and is a well 
and favorably known citizen, commanding the esteem of all who know him.
	On Dec. 17, 1857, Mr. Dodge married Mary A. Hine, daughter of Jacob 
and Catharine (Hulligan) Hine, of Northumberland, Pa., and they have had 
six children: Emma, who died when small; Mary J., who died when small; 
Charles H.; William Henry; Florence M., who died small; 
	
	END OF PAGE 603
	
and Harvey O., of Baltimore.  Mr. Dodge and his family are members of 
the Methodist Church.

	CHARLES H. DODGE, dealer in real estate and insurance at 
Northumberland, where he has built up a creditable business, to which he 
now gives all his time, was born in the borough of Northumberland Sept. 
17, 1867.  He attended public school until he reached the age of twelve 
years, and began work in the Van Alen nail mill at Northumberland, where 
he was employed until sixteen.  At that time he became a pupil at the 
Williamsport Commercial College,  graduating from that school in 1885.  
Returning home he took a position with the Pennsylvania Railway Company 
in 1887, in the clerical department at Sunbury, making his residence at 
Northumberland.  He remained with that company until June, 1909, when he 
gave up his position to devote all his time to his real estate and 
insurance interests.  His office is at No. 228 Queen street. Mr. Dodge 
had commenced this business some time previously, gradually building up 
a patronage which has come to require all his time.  He began selling 
insurance first, later dealing in real estate, and he now has a 
lucrative business in both lines. He is at present handling the Priestly 
Terrace property, which is very well located near the borough, and which 
he has been quite successful in selling.  Mr. Dodge has filled the 
office of town clerk of Northumberland for the past fifteen years. He is 
a Republican in politics, a member of the I.O.O.F., and, with his 
family, identified with the Lutheran Church.
	In June, 1887, Mr. Dodge married Bella Jacoby, daughter of E. R. 
Jacoby, of Northumberland borough, and they have three children: 
Florence, Ezra and Mary.

	WILLIAM HENRY DODGE, who has been engaged in the bakery business in 
Northumberland borough since 1905, was born Feb. 1, 1871, at the place 
where he now lives, and received his education in the local public 
schools.  When fifteen years old he began working in the nail mill, 
where he was employed six years, until an accident caused the loss of 
his right eye. From that time until 1898 he teamed and hauled freight 
and for the next five years was in the employ of Persing & Cooke, at 
Arters, this county.  He operated a coal digger for Simcox & Dodge for 
two years, and for about two years was engaged as a janitor, in 1905 
purchasing the stock, good will and fixtures of Ralph Mertz, baker, at 
Northumberland, where he has since been engaged in business.  The 
establishment is known as the Central Bakery, located at Church and 
Orange streets, and Mr. Dodge now owns the building in which he is 
located.  Though he started with almost nothing, he has managed so 
thriftily and operated the business so successfully that he is now 
considered one of the prosperous business men of the borough, where he 
has the leading trade in his line. He has the most modern appliances and 
equipment, and his trade has become so extensive that he employs five 
men constantly and keeps three teams busy.  Mr. Dodge has also become 
interested in the artificial ice business, running a team the year 
round. He is a well known man in this section, a member of P.O.S. of A. 
Camp No. 622, at Northumberland, and of Lodge No. 141, of the Beavers.  
Politically he is a Republican, and in 1896 he served as supervisor of 
streets in Northumberland.
	On Nov. 11, 1891, Mr. Dodge married Mary J. Housel, daughter of 
Jacob B. and Harriet L. (Gibbons) Housel, of Northumberland.  Six 
children have been born to them: Joseph R., who is head baker for his 
father; Margaret E., who died in infancy; Martha H.; George D.; William 
G., and Mary B.  Mr. Dodge and his family are members of the Methodist 
Church.

	JOSEPH H. JOHNSON, one of the young successful and enterprising 
business men of Milton, Pa., who has made good in every position he has 
been called upon to fill, now presiding with marked ability and 
impartiality as president of the town council, was born in that town 
Nov. 23, 1882, son of Edward W. and Sallie S. (Housel) Johnson.
	The early home of the Johnson family was in Northampton, England, 
and there in the village of Guisborough was born James Johnson, Jan. 24, 
1774.  He died in Northumberland county, Pa., Aug. 31, 1834. His wife 
Ann, whom he married in England, was born at Naseby April 2, 1776, and 
died at Northumberland March 31, 1865.  They came to America shortly 
after their marriage, and settled in this county, where they reared 
their children. These children were: John, Thomas, George, Samuel, 
William, James, Elizabeth and Phoebe.  Of these, Samuel served in 
Company B, 5th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died at Annapolis Dec. 19, 
1864, at the age of twenty-six years.
	Thomas Johnson, son of James, was born in 1808, and died in 1877.  
He followed farming in Point township, and also operated a saw and grist 
mill, becoming one of the prominent men of his district. He married 
Sophia Gibbons, born 1804, died 1876, and both are buried in 
Northumberland county.  Their children were: Amos; Isaiah; Reuben, born 
in 1834, living in this county; Albert; Edward W.; Josiah; and Hester, 
who married Joseph Wertz.
	Amos Johnson, son of Thomas, was born in 1831, and followed farming 
in Point township, owning a farm of 170 acres. He died there in 1860, 
and is buried in the Northumberland cemetery. In politics he was a 
Republican, in religion a member of the Methodist Church.  To him and 
	
	END OF PAGE 604
	
his wife Mary (Willard) were born the following children: Edward W.; 
Abbie E., who became the wife of Clement Wallace; Ward W.; Amelia who 
married William Warren and died Aug. 9, 1891; and Daniel, who is now 
living in Oakland California.
	Edward W. Johnson, son of Amos, was born in Point township, this 
county, Feb. 4, 1853, and died at Milton Nov. 6, 1905; he is buried at 
Northumberland.  He grew to manhood in his native township, but later 
went to Northumberland and clerked in a general store for a few years, 
after which he came to Milton, and for some years was employed in the 
mills as a nailer. Failing health necessitated a change of work, and he 
bought out William P. Hull's coal yard in 1897.  This yard had been 
established by Thomas Hull, father of William P., and was, as now, 
located at No. 35 Centre street.  Here Mr. Johnson carried on a 
successful business until his death.  He was a man of upright business 
principles. and had a genial manner that won him many friends.  He was 
enterprising and keenly alive to the needs of the town, and his death 
was regarded as a loss to the whole community.  He married Sallie S. 
Housel, who resides in Milton. This union was blessed with but one son, 
Joseph H.
	Joseph H. Johnson attended the local schools and graduated from the 
Milton high school in 1901.  He then entered Dickinson College at 
Carlisle, Pa., where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon 
fraternity, and from which he was graduated in 1905.  He had taken up 
the study of medicine at Philadelphia, but after a few months was 
summoned home by his father's illness, and he was obliged to take charge 
of the business.  On the death of the father he assumed full control, 
and he has built up a fine trade.
	Mr. Johnson is a staunch Republican, and he has been very active in 
work for his chosen party. In 1908 he was elected for a three-year term 
in the town council, and in 1909 was made president of same.  He is a 
member of the Methodist Church and is at the present time serving as 
steward.  Fraternally he belongs to the I.O.O.F. and the B.P.O.E.
	Mr. Johnson was married in 1907 to Catharine Hobbs, daughter of H. 
Clay Hobbs, who now resides at Denton, Caroline Co., Md. Her 
grandfather, Saulsbury Hobbs, was a prominent man in his day, and his 
name was given to the town of Hobbs in Maryland.

	WILLIAM BENSON BIRD, late of Shamokin, was a descendant of one of 
the oldest pioneer families of Northumberland county and himself one of 
the best known citizens of the borough in which he made his home, having 
for twenty-six years held the responsible positions of assistant 
weighmaster at the Weigh Scales and chief clerk at the Shamokin station 
for the Pennsylvania Railway Company.  He was also prominent in G.A.R. 
circles, having been a veteran of the Civil war and one of the 
organizers of Lincoln Post, No. 140, of Shamokin. Mr. Bird was born in 
1842 on Commerce street Shamokin, son of Pemberton Bird, and was a 
member of the fourth generation of his family to reside in this county. 
The history of its early settlement here and subsequent activity in 
local affairs is an interesting record.  
	James Bird, his great-grandfather, a native of Warren  county, N. 
J., came to Pennsylvania and settled in Rush township, Northumberland 
county, remaining on the farm where he then located until his death. In 
New Jersey he married, and his family consisted of nine children, as 
follows: John, Rachel (Mrs. Jacob Shipman), Sarah (Mrs. Scott), Susanna 
(Mrs. William Kimball), Ziba, James, Joseph, William and Sylvanus.
	Sylvanus Bird, youngest son of James Bird, was born in 1796, and 
died in March, 1856.  He was reared in Rush township, spending his early 
life on the farm, and learned the trade of carpenter, at which he was 
employed by his brother Ziba, who was superintendent for John C. Boyd, 
the founder of Shamokin.  He located at Shamokin in 1838 and there made 
his home to the end of his days, building many of the early houses 
there.  He was also well known as postmaster, serving as such from 1852 
until his death, excepting from January to December, 1855; he also 
served twenty years as justice of the peace.
	In 1816 Mr. Bird married Lena Tietsworth daughter of Robert, and to 
them were born children as follows: Pemberton, Eliza, John W., William 
W., Joseph F., Angelina (widow of George W. Raver), Matilda (wife of 
Peter Heim), Robert T., Josiah F. (of Shamokin) and Sarah J., all now 
deceased.
	Pemberton Bird, eldest son of Sylvanus Bird was born in Shamokin 
township in 1817, and died in 1894, at the age of seventy-seven. He 
received an elementary English education in his native place, and 
learned the trade of carpenter, which however, he did not follow to any 
great extent. He was clerk for Boyd & Rosser eight years, for Joseph 
Bird ten years and for the Bird Coal & Iron Company,  attaining high 
responsibility with the latter concern, of which he was president for 
six years, later serving as vice president, during his declining years.  
He was prominent in the local civil administration, serving as a member 
of the borough council, borough clerk and for a number of years as 
school director. Religious matters also claimed a large share of his 
time and attention. He was one of the original members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Shamokin, in 1842 was ordained a local preacher, and 
in 1846 was 
	
	END OF PAGE 605
	
appointed to the Elysburg circuit by the Baltimore Conference of the M. 
E. Church, continuing in the active ministry eleven years, at various 
points. In politics he was a  Republican.
	In 1838 Mr. Bird married Mary Arnold, daughter of Jacob Arnold, of 
Snydertown, and five children were born to them: William Benson; Annie, 
widow of C. W. Young; Sylvanus, deceased; Joseph F., of Colorado; and 
Charles, of Harrisburg.

	William Benson Bird received his education in the schools of 
Shamokin.  A youth of nineteen when the Civil war broke out, he enlisted 
in the Union army Aug. 13, 1861, under Capt. Cyrus Strouse, as a member 
of Company K, 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was 
mustered into the United States service Sept. 16, 1861, at Harrisburg, 
for three years  He was honorably discharged from active service Sept. 
13, 1864, at the expiration of his term of enlistment. Company K, 
largely recruited from Shamokin and vicinity, took part in the following 
battles: Winchester, Va.; Middleton, Va.; Winchester, Va. (second 
battle); Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 1862; Sulphur Springs, Va., Aug. 
27; South Mountain, Md., Sept. 14; Antietam, Sept. 17; Chancellorsville, 
May 1, 2, 3, 1863; Gettysburg, July 1, 2, 3; Resaca, Ga., May 19, 1864; 
Dallas, Ga., May 25; Pine Knob, Ga., June 9, Culp's Farm, June 22; Peach 
Tree Creek, July 20; Atlanta, Sept. 6; Cypress, Ga., Dec. 8; Savannah, 
Dec. 21; Chesterfield, S. C., March 2, 1865; Coon Run, N. C., April 10; 
Averysboro, N. C., March 14; and Bentonville, N. C., March 19. Mr. Bird 
was wounded three times while in the service, having been shot through 
the arm and leg at Cedar Mountain, while his company was operating as 
part of the Army of Virginia, under General Pope, Banks Division. 
Company K went into this battle with forty-eight men and came out with 
twenty-four, eleven being killed and thirteen wounded. The wounds 
received at Cedar Mountain disabled him for active service, and 
necessitated his confinement in the Saint John's College hospital, 
Annapolis, Md., for many months.  Upon recovery he was commissioned to 
do secretary duty in the medical department of the hospital, which 
position he creditably filled to the end of the war.
	Mr. Bird's interest in military affairs remained with him to the 
close of his days. He was one of the organizers of Lincoln Post, No. 
140, G.A.R., of Shamokin, serving that organization several times as 
commander, his valued services as adjutant also being frequently sought 
by other commanders. Ever one of the post's most useful and active 
members, his death caused a gap in the ranks hard to fill. On Sept. 9, 
1892, following his demise, a handsomely framed crayon portrait of the 
deceased was presented to the post by his former comrades, an unusual 
mark of devotion and  respect for the departed.  The crayon occupies a 
prominent position on the wall in the, rear of the desk of the adjutant, 
which office Mr. Bird held at the time of his death.  Under Commander 
Samuel Harper, Department of Pennsylvania, in 1887, he was commissioned 
chief mustering officer of the State.  With his fellow officers of the 
G.A.R. he was the special guest of the Philadelphia Union League, Oct. 
18, 1887, on the occasion of the unveiling of the monument to General 
Meade.  National Commander Russell A. Alger, of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, in 1890 selected him as one of the aides de camp of his 
personal staff. The Pennsylvania State encampment honored him at 
different times as delegate to the national encampments, at Columbus, 
Ohio, Boston, Mass., Milwaukee, Wis., and Erie, Pa.  In all of these 
position's of high responsibility he did credit to himself and to these 
who chose him. Mr. Bird was also a chief factor in the organization and 
upbuilding of Lincoln Post Corporation, of Shamokin, which possess one 
of the most valuable properties owned exclusively by G.A.R. men in the 
State. He was also one of the active organizers of the local branch of 
the Royal Arcanum, serving that beneficial society as regent at the time 
of his death.
	Not long after his return to civil life, upon the close of the war, 
Mr. Bird became associated with the Pennsylvania Railway Company, 
continuing in its employ for a consecutive term of twenty-six years, 
marked for efficient service and intelligent discharge of his 
responsible duties. He naturally made many friends and acquaintances in 
this connection, and few men in Shamokin were more widely or favorably 
known. He died June 1, 1892, at the comparatively early age of forty-
nine years.  Mr. Bird was an attendant of the Methodist Church.
	In 1871 Mr. Bird married Clara E. John, who survives him.  She is a 
member of the Lincoln Street Methodist Episcopal Church and has long 
taken an active part in church and Sunday school work, having served 
twenty-nine years as organist of the infant department of the Sunday 
school. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bird: Cora Blanche, who 
lives at home; Samuel John, now employed as bookkeeper for the Shamokin 
Banking Company; William Canton, deceased; and Rutherford Townsend, 
deceased.  Samuel John Bird, in 1902 was married to Rosella Cooper, 
daughter of Luther S. and Alice (Keefer) Cooper, of Snydertown, Pa. To 
them have been born three children: John Cooper, and William and Robert, 
twins.

	SAMUEL JOHN, father of Mrs. Clara E. (John) Bird, was a pioneer 
resident of Shamokin, where he lived from 1839 until his death.  He was 
a native of Shamokin (now Ralpho) township, 
	
	END OF PAGE 606
	
Northumberland county, born Feb. 27, 1807, seventh son of Abia and 
Martha John, who settled in this county in 1795, and passed his early 
youth on the homestead farm, continuing to reside there until his 
removal to Shamokin, in April, 1839. He followed farming, to which 
occupation he was trained from boyhood, operated the old forge below 
Shamokin, and also did surveying, conveyancing, etc.  When he settled 
in Shamokin he engaged in merchandising, in connection with which be had 
so many other interests that he was a very busy man.  He operated what 
was then known as the Buck Ridge colliery, and conducted the Shamokin. 
foundry, manufacturing plows, stoves, hollow ware, etc., an ambitious 
enterprise in that day. In 1844 he was appointed postmaster, holding 
that office two years. He assisted Kimber Cleaver in locating what was 
then known as the Eastern railroad, and was active in procuring the 
southern outlet to Baltimore, to transport the products of the Shamokin 
coal field to the South by rail.  In 1867 he was one of those who 
secured a charter for, a railroad between Shamokin and Trevorton.  
Having leased the Green Ridge colliery, which he called the Green 
Mountain colliery, he decided that the Western markets would be the best 
for the output and he accordingly assisted in procuring a charter for 
the Enterprise railroad. Both these roads are now owned and operated as 
parts of the Philadelphia & Reading system. His part in the development 
of the Shamokin coal field, and in that connection, of the local 
transportation facilities, was an important one, and his interest in 
these lines was awakened early, for he was recognized as a leader in 
such operations as far back as 1830, in which year the Legislature 
appointed him one of the commissioners of the Danville & Pottsville 
railroad. Moreover, he was a director of the Shamokin Town Lot 
Association, which had for its object the promotion of manufacturing 
industries. He continued his mercantile interests for a period of 
twenty-five years, having a general store in Shamokin for years, and 
operating stores at Mount Comfort and Mount Carmel. Local banking 
interests also had him among their most prominent supporters; he having 
served at one time as cashier of the Shamokin Bank and for years as a 
director of the Shamokin Banking Company, the only bank in the borough 
which withstood the panic of 1877. He was the founder, editor and 
proprietor of the Shamokin Register, the second newspaper published in 
the borough. In fact there were few phases of the life of the community, 
particularly those designed to benefit the general welfare, which did 
not elicit his support and encouragement.  He took a deep interest in 
establishing and maintaining the public school system and served many 
years as a school director in Shamokin township. He was a member of the 
Shamokin Lyceum and took part in its discussions.
	In politics a Whig and later a Republican, Mr. John took little 
active part in political affairs and never sought office, his 
appointments as postmaster and justice of the peace coming to him 
entirely unsolicited. He resigned both offices after creditable service. 
He was once a candidate for Congress in this district, but the 
nomination went to a resident of Schuylkill county. He did considerable 
toward establishing an almshouse in Coal township.
	Though a busy man until he died, July 23, 1877, in his seventy-
first year, Mr. John had robust health, which he attributed to his 
abstemious habits and regular life. He was a thorough business man, 
making the most of all his undertakings and expecting those with whom he 
bad dealings to fill their contracts to the letter, but he was equally 
particular about discharging his own obligations. Fraternally he was a 
Mason. He was of direct Quaker descent.
	When twenty-six years old Mr. John married Angelina John, second 
daughter of Abraham and Mary John, of Catawissa township, Columbia 
county, of the same name, but not related.  She survived him, dying 
Sept. 5, 1894.  Five sons and five daughters were born to this marriage, 
namely: Laertes P., who is deceased; U. F., a lawyer of Shamokin, 
deceased; Kersey T. a merchant of Mount Carmel, deceased; J. M., 
deceased; Samuel L., deceased; Vienna A.; Clara E., widow of William B. 
Bird, of Shamokin; Angelina R., deceased wife of William H. Shipe, of 
Minnesota; Mary A., who married William E. Raver, now deceased, and is 
now the wife of Charles A. Smith, of Shamokin; and Sarah L.

	CHARLES A. HARTMAN, of Sunbury, furniture dealer, does a leading 
business in his line, having a trade which extends beyond the limits of 
the borough all over the territory of which that place is the center.  
He has lived in Sunbury since 1895, and has been in business on his own 
account since 1904. 
	Mr. Hartman is a native of Snyder county and a member of a family 
of long standing there. John Hartman, his great-grandfather, was born 
Aug. 13, 1782, and died July 31, 1854; he is buried in the private 
burial ground of the Hartman family at Shamokin Dam, Snyder county.
	John Hartman, son of John, was born at Shamokin Dam, and followed 
farming throughout his active life.  He married Mary Keefer, who died at 
the age of seventy-three years, Mr. Hartman reaching the age of seventy-
nine.  They are interred in the Hartman cemetery at Shamokin Dam. Their 
children were Samuel; Marx; Theodosia, who married Theodore Hummel; 
Mary, who married Philip Gibbons; and Newton E.
	Newton E. Hartman, father of Charles A. Hartman, was born April 16, 
1849. During his active years he was engaged in farming and lumbering 
	
	END OF PAGE 607
	
at Mifflinburg, Union county, but for a number of years past he has been 
a resident of Shamokin Dam, of which place he is a well known citizen. 
He is a Republican, and for ten years held the office of supervisor of 
Monroe township, Snyder county. On July 4, 1871, he married Alice 
Lenhart daughter of John and Sarah (Sampsel) Lenhart and granddaughter 
of George Lenhart, and they have had two children, Charles A. and Emma, 
the latter the wife of Arthur Heiser and living at Shamokin Dam.  The 
Hartman family are Methodists in religious connection.

	Charles A. Hartman was born Oct. 5, 1877, in Monroe township (at 
Shamokin Dam), Snyder county; and received his early education in the 
public schools of the neighborhood. Later he attended Susquehanna 
University, at Selinsgrove. He then began to learn the hardware 
business, at which he was employed for a year in Philadelphia, thence 
moving to Sunbury, in 1895. For the next nine years he was in the employ 
of George W. Hackett, a leading hardware merchant of this place, 
remaining with him until he formed a partnership with Mr. C. J. Ives, 
under the firm name of Ives & Hartman.  On June 28, 1904, they opened a 
new furniture and undertaking establishment in the two-story building at 
Nos. 421-423 Market street where Mr. Hartman is still located, putting 
in a fine stock of furniture and house furnishings of all kinds, and all 
modern appliances for the conduct of an up-to-date undertaking 
department.  They continued in partnership until January, 1910, when the 
association was dissolved by mutual agreement, Mr. Hartman buying his 
partner's interest in the furniture business.  He has since added 
materially to his stock, which includes the finest furniture in the 
market, and continues to do a thriving business, his customers coming 
from a wide radius around Sunbury.
	Though his business interests have always received the most 
conscientious attention, Mr. Hartman has found time for participation in 
local public affairs, was auditor of the borough two terms and member of 
the council from the First ward three years. He has been an efficient 
worker in the Republican organization for years, having been borough 
chairman for two terms, and is prominently identified with the workings 
of the party in city and county.
	On June 8, 1898, Mr. Hartman married Gertrude S. Savage, daughter 
of Martin L. and Mary (Batchler) Savage, of Northumberland. They have 
one daughter, Mary Helen.
	Mr. Hartman has been a member of Lodge No. 267, B.P.O.E., of 
Sunbury, since 1898, and also belongs to the Conclave.

	GEORGE W. SCOTT, of Mount Carmel, teller of the First National Bank 
of that place, member of the borough council, is a type of the best 
citizenship this region affords.  He is a son of the late Thomas Scott, 
than whom there was no more progressive resident of Mount Carmel in his 
day.
	John and Mary (Patton) Scott grandparents of George W. Scott, came 
to America from England in 1837. They first settled at Mine Hill Gap, 
Schuylkill Co., Pa., where Mr. Scott was engaged in mining for ten 
years. He then moved to what was then known as Payne's Patch, where he 
sunk the second slope in the valley and remained for seven years, thence 
moving to Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Pa.  There he also spent seven years, 
as superintendent of mines, was located at Hazleton, same county, for a 
short time, and in 1861 came to Locust Gap, Northumberland county, where 
he was superintendent of mines until his death, in 1869.  His family 
consisted of five children, Thomas, Mary A. (Mrs. Henry Eckman), 
Elizabeth (Mrs. George Roudenbush), George and James.
	Thomas Scott, son of John and Mary (Patton) Scott, was born Feb. 
24, 1836, in Northumberlandshire, England, and was brought to America by 
his parents the next year. In 1861 he, too, settled at Locust Gap, where 
he was engaged at the mines as outside superintendent of a breaker for 
three years.  He next engaged in the hotel business there, continuing 
same until he sold out in June, 1867, at which time he settled down to 
farming in New Britain, Bucks Co., Pa. He was thus engaged eighteen 
months, in 1869 taking up his residence in Mount Carmel. For fifteen 
years he carried on a hotel business in the borough, in the spring of 
1885 giving up that line to enter the wholesale liquor business, in 
which he was interested the rest of his active life.  In June, 1889, 
when the Progress Hat and Cap Manufacturing Company was established, he 
became president and treasurer, and he was also associated with other 
local enterprises, having been one of the prime movers in the 
organization of the Mount Carmel Water Company, of which he was a 
charter member, and which he served as superintendent from the 
beginning. He was a director of the Citizens Building and Loan 
Association and a stockholder in the Edison Electric Illuminating 
Company. He proved himself a leader in all his undertakings, and he is 
remembered as one of the most useful citizens the borough has known. Mr. 
Scott died Aug. 28, 1905.  He was a member of the I.O.O.F., and a 
Republican in political conviction.
	In 1862 Mr. Scott married Sarah A. Gunsett, daughter of Christian 
Gunsett, of Locust Gap, and they reared a family of seven children, 
namely: Minnie; Oscar J., a furniture manufacturer and dealer of Mount 
Carmel; Frank; Alexander; George W.; Katie, and Sallie. 
	George W. Scott, son of Thomas and Sarah A. (Gunsett) Scott, was 
born Feb. 21, 1872, in 
	
	END OF PAGE 608
	
Mount Carmel, and there received his education in the public schools. He 
was employed as clerk and bookkeeper by Thomas M. Righter & Co. for 
several years before assuming his present connection, on April 13, 1896. 
He began as clerk at the bank, and in 1900 was made teller, which 
position he has since filled.  He is a substantial and respected 
citizen, and has been serving in the borough council for the past few 
years, having been elected to that body in 1908.  In 1909 he was chosen 
president of the council, in which honorable position he sustained well 
the reputation his family has made for intelligent and efficient public 
service. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. 
Socially he is a well known Mason, being a member and past master of 
Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 378, F. & A.M.; member of Griscom Chapter, No. 
219, R.A.M.; of Prince of Peace Commandery, K.T., Ashland; and of Rajah 
Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.  Reading.
	On June 1, 1905, Mr. Scott married Mary M. Ferguson, daughter of 
Rev. W. G. Ferguson, a Methodist minister, formerly of Harrisburg, Pa., 
who died at Milton, Pa. The family are members of the Episcopal Church.

	ADAMS. The ancestor of the Adams family, of Ralpho township, 
Northumberland county, was one of the earliest pioneers of that section. 
His descendants are still numerous there, among them being D. Monzo and 
Allison C. Adams, brothers, and their cousin, General G. Adams, who is 
proprietor of the Elysburg Hotel. We give some account of the earlier 
generations in this country.
	Casper Adams, their great-grandfather was the first of the family 
in this country. He was born April 25, 1755, at Langendiebach, 
Offenburg, Germany. Little is known of his early life. On coming to this 
country, he lived in Berks county, Pa., before coming to Northumberland 
county, where he was one of the earliest pioneers in  Ralpho  township,  
owning  several  hundred acres of land there. He cleared some of his 
land and followed farming.  He died Jan. 26, 1832, and is buried at St. 
Peter's (the Blue) church in Ralpho township. Casper Adams married, in 
Berks county, Elizabeth Hinkle, of that county, and they had a large 
family, six sons and six daughters, namely: Frederick (1792-1853), 
John, Samuel, Casper, Leonard, Peter, Nellie, (married George Startzel),  
Susanna (married Samuel Startzel), Elizabeth (married Gilbert Liby), 
Polly (married Peter Strausser), Maria (married Jacob Kreher) and 
Catharine (married Samuel Anspach).
	Casper Adams, fourth son of Casper and Elizabeth (Hinkle) Adams, 
was born April 10, 1796., on the homestead farm in Ralpho township, and 
was there reared to farm life. When he became of age his father deeded 
100 acres of land in Ralpho township to him, this being the farm 
afterward occupied by his son George C., near the Blue church. Mr. Adams 
was a man of active mind, one who, interested himself in the general 
welfare as well as in the promotion of his own interests, and he was one 
of the foremost men of his locality for many years, well known as a 
stanch Democrat and as one of the most liberal supporters of the Blue 
church, with which he was identified all his life; he served as elder of 
that church and was one of the most, generous contributors toward the 
erection of the church edifice. He married Susanna Startzel (daughter of 
John), who was born March 14, 1800, and died Jan. 22, 1873; Mr. Adams 
died Jan. 28, 1882, and is buried at the Blue church. Their children 
were: Benjamin, who died in 1895, at the age of seventy-four years (his 
children were Edward, William F. and Lucinda); Daniel H.; Casper, 
deceased; George C.; David, born in 1830; Jacob, born in 1833, who died 
in 1895; Samuel, deceased; William; Elizabeth (deceased), who married 
William Smith; Susanna (deceased), who married William Klase; Polly, 
Mrs. Fry, deceased; Angelina, who married William Smith (both were 
suffocated in a well in Cleveland township, Columbia Co., Pa.); and 
Harriet, deceased.
	Daniel H. Adams, son of Casper and Susanna (Startzel) Adams, was 
born in 1822 on the old homestead near Elysburg, in Ralpho township. He 
followed farming all his life, owning a tract of about fifty acres near 
the Blue church, and in connection with his agricultural work engaged in 
lime burning. He died June 20, 1892.  Mr. Adams married Sarah A. Pensyl, 
who was born in 1829, daughter of Leonard Pensyl, and died Jan. 4, 1908. 
They are buried at the Blue church. Twelve children were born to their 
union, viz.: Francis is a resident of Shamokin; John is deceased; Henry 
N. lives near Bear Gap, in Columbia county, Pa.; D. Alonzo is mentioned 
below; Leonard M. is a resident of Shamokin; Nathan G. is located at 
Paxinos; Allison C. is mentioned below; Marietta (deceased) was the wife 
of Frank Erdman, commissioner of Northumberland county; Emma married 
George Erdman; Elizabeth married Philip Richard and they live at 
Elysburg, Northumberland county; Lydia married Thomas Boughner, of 
Ralpho; Casper died young.
	D. ALONZO ADAMS, a respected resident of Ralpho township, engaged 
in farming on the old homestead, at the Blue church, was born there Oct. 
7, 1854. He received his early training in the local schools, later 
attending Elysburg Academy, and for a short time was engaged in teaching 
school, having Kaseman's school for two terms and Mount Union school, in 
Ralpho township, one term. For eighteen years thereafter he was an 
employee of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia & Reading railroad 
Company, at the end of that period 
	
	END OF PAGE 609
	
starting the mercantile business, at Bear Gap. After ten years in that 
line he sold out to his brother, Nathan G. Adams, and locating at 
Paxinos lived retired for a time.  Thence he removed to Sunbury, where 
he was in the restaurant business for one year, and subsequently had a 
store at Shamokin one year.  Having bought the old homestead, his 
present tract of fifty-one acres in the vicinity of the Blue church, he 
removed to that place in 1907, and has since been engaged in its 
cultivation. He is a man who takes an intelligent interest in local 
affairs, and is at present serving as supervisor of his township, 
previously he served as auditor. In politics he is identified with the 
Democratic party. He is a member of the Blue church, and socially 
belongs to the P.O.S. of A.
	Mr. Adams's first wife, Dora A. Knobel, daughter of Daniel and 
Susanna (Kaseman) Knobel, died June 9, 1908, aged thirty-nine years, and 
is buried at the Blue church. She was the mother of two children: Thomas 
I., a painter by trade, and Katie M., both of whom live at home.  For 
his second wife Mr. Adams married Sadie Loss.

	ALLISON C. ADAMS, also a farmer of Ralpho township, was born Feb. 
10, 1872, on the old homestead near the Blue church. His early education 
was gained at the Kaseman school and he remained with his father until 
about twenty-three years old.  After working at milling about one year, 
near Danville, Montour county, he bought the old Haas farm from his 
brother, Nathan G. Adams, this place comprising seventy acres along the 
Center turnpike.  It came into his possession in 1902, and he has since 
lived there and devoted his time to farming, in which he has been 
successful. He is a man of active disposition, identified in various 
ways with local affairs, holding various offices with distinct credit to 
himself and satisfaction to his fellow citizens.  He has been auditor 
and school director of his township, and is at present serving his 
second term as township treasurer; he is also filling the office of 
township clerk. Mr. Adams was elected justice of the peace for his 
township, but never nerved. In politics a stanch Democrat, he has taken 
considerable interest in the workings of the party, and has acted as 
inspector of elections.  He is a member of the P.O.S. of A., of the 
Patriotic Order of Americans, and of the Paxinos Band, in the 
organization of which, in July, 1907, he had an active part. He was one 
of the organizers of the Keystone Band, made up of young men of Ralpho 
township, and continued to play with that band for seven years. In 
religion he belongs to the Reformed denomination, being a member of the 
Reformed congregation of the Blue Church.
	Mr. Adams married Emma Gelnett, daughter of Henry B. Gelnett, of 
Snyder county, Pa., and they have a family of four children: Verda M., 
Olive M., Helen T. and Oren A.

	George C. Adams, son of Casper and Susanna (Startzel) Adams, was 
born Aug. 17, 1826, upon the homestead in what is now Ralpho township. 
He received such education as was obtainable in the schools of the 
period, and after reaching maturity engaged in railroad work. For some 
years he was also employed in the huckstering business and at farming 
for his father-in-law. In 1863 he purchased the old homestead property, 
where he continued to follow general farming throughout his active 
years.  He died June 12, 1897, and is buried at the Blue church.  His 
religious faith was that of the German Reformed denomination, and he 
served as elder of his congregation.  In politics he was a Democrat but 
though interested in the success of the party took no part in its 
activities.
	On Sept. 12, 1855, Mr. Adams married Susanna Klase, daughter of 
Valentine Klase, of Shamokin, and she now resides with her son General 
G. Adams, in Ralpho township. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Adams: Alvin A., who was killed on a railroad at Weigh Scales, when 
twenty-four years old; Leanna, who is married to Francis T. Borrell and 
resides in Reading, Pa.; Mahala, wife of Charles Paul, of Paxinos, and 
General G.

	GENERAL G. ADAMS, proprietor of the "Elysburg Hotel," was born 
March 9, 1867, on the old homestead in Ralpho township, son of George C. 
Adams. He attended the Kaseman school there in his boyhood, and later 
assisted his father with the work at home, remaining with him until his 
death. After that he bought the farm, which had been owned successively 
by his grandfather and father, and which comprises 100 acres of valuable 
land.  He continued to cultivate it for another year, until he embarked 
in the mercantile business at Snydertown, where he was in business for 
four and one half years.  Returning to the farm, be conducted it for 
eight years, at the end of that period removing to Paxinos, where he 
engaged in the hotel business, carrying on the hotel  there for  three 
years and two months.  In 1910 he bought the well known "Elysburg 
Hotel," to which he removed April 9, 1910. Mr. Adams has made great 
improvements in this property, having an up-to-date establishment, with 
all the modern conveniences and facilities for making his guests 
comfortable. The rooms are all airy and desirable, and he prides himself 
on his table, making a specialty of catering to parties, for dinners, 
etc.  His place bids fair to be well patronized under the present 
efficient management.
	Mr. Adams married Sadie A. Miller, daughter of Christian Miller, 
who was killed in a powder mill when his  daughter Sadie was only three 
months old.  One son, George H. has been born to this union. 
	In politics Mr. Adams is a Democrat and while living at Snydertown 
he took an active interest in public matters, serving as member of the 
school 
	
	END OF PAGE 610
	
board and in other offices. Socially he belongs to I.O.O.F. at 
Snydertown.  The family are members of the Reformed Church.
	Valentine Klase, maternal grandfather of General G. Adams, was a 
farmer by occupation. He died at the old home near Snydertown when over 
seventy years old, and was buried at Snydertown. His wife Mary (Baker), 
of Berks County (Pa.) stock was ninety years, five days old at the time 
of her death; she was a large woman, weighing about three hundred 
pounds. Their children were as follows:  Catharine married Abraham 
Rimert; Eva married George W. Lerch; John married Margaret Evert; 
William married Susanna Adams and (second) Lena Dunkelberger; Lovina 
married Isaac Boughner; Sarah married Noah Ware; Valentine married 
Sophia Evert; Hannah married Daniel Donbach; Susanna married George C. 
Adams.