Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 827 thru 850

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck.
Tar2@psu.edu

Electronic edition copyright 2001 by Tony Rebuck.  All rights
reserved.  This electronic work may be freely distributed and displayed:
(1)without modification, (2) on a strictly non-commercial basis, and 
(3) retaining this copyright notice.


USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals 
and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter 
information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other 
sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any 
other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of 
contents.


	FRANK X. KLAUS, of Locust Gap, in Mount Carmel township, is 
proprietor of the "American House" at that place and in that and other 
associations well known in his section of Northumberland county, being 
one of the local leaders of the Democratic party. His hotel stand is the 
leading place of the kind at Locust Gap.
	Mr. Klaus was born at St. Clair, Schuylkill Co., Pa., June 4, 1867, 
son of Frank Klaus.  The father was born in Germany, and came to America 
when a young man, settling in Schuylkill county, where he lived at 
Minersville and St. Clair.  In 1873 he came to Locust Gap, 
Northumberland county, where he followed his trade, that of blacksmith, 
and where he died in 1889; he is buried at Locust Gap.  His wife, whose 
maiden name was Matilda Hipp, is still living at Locust Gap, now (1910) 
aged seventy-six years.  They were the parents of a large family, 
namely: Catherine (deceased), Stephen (deceased), Edward (deceased), 
Frank X., Joseph  (deceased), Michael, Martha, Theresa, Rossie, Matilda 
and Mary.
	Frank X. Klaus worked at the mines for a number of years before 
entering his present line of business.  He began as a slate picker when 
but eight years old, afterward worked as door tender and was employed in 
different capacities inside, in time becoming boss loader inside.  After 
two years at that he left the mines to engage in the hotel business, in 
1896, and since 1900 he has been at his present location.  The "American 
House" is on the Helfenstein road, across the bridge, and is well 
patronized, Mr. Klaus having the custom of a substantial element in his 
community.
	As a leading worker in the local ranks of the Democratic party Mr. 
Klaus is well known in the township and county, having served as county 
committeeman and as delegate to the State convention.  He has served two 
terms (six years) as school director of Mount Carmel township, and 
during that time was president of the board one year and treasurer two 
years. Socially he belongs to the Eagles (at Mount Carmel) and the 
Foresters.  He is a member of the Catholic Church and also of the Holy 
Name Society.
	By his first marriage Mr. Klaus has a son, Francis Joseph. His 
second marriage was to Margaret T. Melody.

	SIEGFRIED WASHINGTON ZIMMERMAN, of Little Mahanoy township, 
Northumberland county, comes of a family which for many years has been 
identified with Berks and Schuylkill counties.
	Sebastian Zimmerman, his grandfather, was born in Berks county, 
whence when a boy he moved with his father, who, it would appear, had a 
farm at the upper end of the Deep creek, where Sebastian was reared. He 
was a weaver by trade, and owned a loom, but he was likewise a 
prosperous farmer, owning several farms in Upper Mahantango township, 
Schuylkill county.  The one there on which he lived was formerly owned 
by Benjamin Peifer and is now owned by a Hepler; another was owned by 
Jacob and Abraham Blasser, of Herndon, until 1907. Removing to Cameron 
township, Northumberland county, he lived there some years, moving to 
the Mahantango valley, where he farmed until his death.  He was a 
foremost member of the Lutheran congregation of Salem Church, known as 
Herb Church, located near Rough and Ready, serving as elder and trustee, 
and he and his wife are buried at that church. During the war of 1812 he 
was a soldier, and he was one of the pensioners of that war.  Sebastian 
Zimmerman married Elizabeth Klock, daughter of Peter Klock, and they had 
children as follows: Joseph, a farmer, who settled at Red Bank, 
Jefferson Co., Pa., was twice married and had children; Elizabeth 
married a Bliss; Catharine married George C. Peifer; Salome married Mr. 
Kline, and they moved to Jefferson county; Lydia married a Snyder; 
Sebastian, born in 1829, lives at Sunbury, this county; George is 
mentioned below: Esther married Joel Daniel.
	George Zimmerman, son of Sebastian, was born in Schuylkill county, 
and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until he entered 
the army. During the Civil war he was drafted for nine months' service, 
and at the expiration of this term enlisted for three years, from the 
Mahantango Valley.  He was shot while on picket duty and removed to the 
hospital on Long Island, where he died six weeks after being wounded; he 
is buried on Long Island.
	Mr. Zimmerman married Elizabeth Harter, daughter of Matthias 
Harter, whose wife's name was Eister.  Mrs. Zimmerman is buried at 
Little Mahanoy.  Five children were born to them: S. Washington; Fietta, 
who died young; Joel, of Eldred township, Schuylkill county; Jonathan, 
of Cass county, Mo.; and Monroe, of Snyder county, Pennsylvania.
	Siegfried  Washington  Zimmerman,  son of George, was born Sept. 
18, 1855, in the Mahantango valley, Schuylkill county.  He received his 
education in the common schools and when eighteen years old took up the 
carpenter's trade, which he has followed ever since. In 1872 he had come 
to Little Mahanoy township, Northumberland 
	
	END OF PAGE 827
	
county, living at Dornsife, in that township, until his marriage. He 
became boss carpenter, and for some years was busy erecting houses and 
barns in Shamokin, Sunbury and the surrounding districts.  Since April, 
1909, he has been engaged as carpenter for the Trevorton Coal Land 
Company.  He has prospered at his trade, and owns real estate at 
Sunbury, where he built a house in 1908 at the corner of State and Broad 
streets. His large frame residence near Hunter Station (on the Reading 
railroad), in Little Mahanoy township, he erected in the fall of 1889, 
and has occupied it ever since. Mr. Zimmerman has served the township as 
assessor for twelve years, and as school director for three years.  He 
is a Democrat in political affiliation.
	On June 7, 1878, Mr. Zimmerman married Alice Peifer, daughter of 
Elias Peifer, and they have had two children, George Elmer and Harvey 
Clayton.  George Elmer Zimmerman is a lumber merchant at Shamokin; he 
married Carrie Dunkelberger and has one child, C. Myrtle.  Harvey 
Clayton Zimmerman, a student at the institution at New Berlin, Pa., 
taught music before taking up his classical course. Mr. Zimmerman and 
his family are Lutheran members of Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church 
at Little Mahanoy, of which he was deacon eight years and elder two 
years.  They have also been active in the work of the Sunday school, in 
which he has been a teacher from boyhood, was at one time treasurer, 
secretary for some years and superintendent for a number of years. Thus 
it will he seen that his usefulness has carried him into several fields 
of general interest, in all of which he has done his share as a good 
member of society.

	CHARLES F. REICK, of the Monarch Steam Laundry, Shamokin, has 
established a standard for excellence in his line which would make him a 
successful competitor for the patronage of any community.  The support 
his enterprise has received shows how well his up-to-date methods and 
high-class work are appreciated.  Mr. Reick's experience in the matter 
of laundry equipment prior to his entering the business on his own 
account gave him a distinct advantage at the start but his continued 
success should be credited to his own efforts.
	Mr. Reick was born at Trevorton, Northumberland county, Sept. 2, 
1858, son of George Reick, a native of Würtemberg, Germany, who came to 
America in 1840.  In his native land George Reick was engaged as foreman 
in a silk mill. On coming to America he landed at New York, but came on 
to Schuylkill county, Pa., where be began mining, an occupation which he 
continued to follow until his death.  In 1849 he moved to Trevorton, 
making a permanent home there. He died Jan. 5, 1869. His wife, Catherine 
(Fisher), died at Williamsport, Pa.  They had the following children: 
George, William, Dora, Polly, Amelia, Charles F., and three who died in 
infancy.
	Charles F. Reick received his education in the public schools of 
Trevorton.  He was only a boy when be commenced work in the mines, being 
employed at the North Franklin and Red Ash collieries. He followed this 
work until he was twenty years old, when he went to Ashland with William 
Lauderfield, with whom he learned the carpenter's trade.  Going to 
Williamsport he was engaged by the Williamsport Furniture Company for 
one year, after which he commenced carpentering and building on his own 
account at that place, continuing it for some time.  He next entered the 
employ of the Pennsylvania Railway Company as a bridge builder.  
Returning to Williamsport he became foreman for A. A. Artley, a well 
known contractor, with whom he was associated for five years, since when 
he has been identified with the laundry business.  Entering the service 
of the Lloyd Laundry and Shirt Manufacturing Company, at Williamsport, 
he continued with that concern for the long period of twenty-two years, 
during which time his work took him into twenty-seven States, 
principally in the South.  For six years be was at Charleston, S. C.  
Mr. Reick's specialty was the equipment and establishment of laundries, 
in which he was very successful, his judgment in the requirements of 
such plants being found most reliable by all who trusted to it. He has, 
in all, fitted up twenty-eight laundries, the success of which has 
demonstrated the practical value of his ideas in this field of industry.  
In 1902 he located on his father-in-law's farm at Catawissa, Pa., but 
after three years he returned to his old line, in 1905 settling in 
Shamokin, where he has since run the Monarch Steam Laundry, having 
leased it from F. A. Schreadley in April, 1905. Under his management the 
equipment of this plant is naturally the most convenient known to the 
trade.  With his wide knowledge of laundry machinery be was able to 
select the most reliable and economical devices invented for turning out 
the finest grade of work, with the result that Shamokin has exceptional 
laundry facilities, such as are enjoyed by few places of its size, and 
which can be excelled nowhere. The Monarch Steam Laundry is the best 
equipped plant of its size in the State, Mr. Reick having built and 
fitted every part of it himself, from the dry room to the laying of the 
steam pipes, the setting of the boiler and the installing of the 
machinery, no expense having been spared in any department.  He had had 
the task of establishing it, two years before he became the lessee, so 
that he knew exactly what he was doing when it came into his hands. The 
equipment includes two 250-shirt washers, an extractor, Bishop starcher, 
thirty-gallon starch kettle, body ironer, neckband and 
	
	END OF PAGE 828
	
wristband ironer, collar shaper, economic collar and cuff starcher, 
forty-inch five-roll Hagan mangle and cuff machine, Hagan bosom ironer 
and a 160-inch five-roll Hagan mangle with a capacity of ten thousand 
pieces a day. A Hercules dry room, built after Mr. Reick's own plans, 
will dry 1,500 collars or 100 shirts in twelve minutes. The upper floors 
of the plant are devoted to the cleaning of woolen blankets and lace 
curtains.  Employment is given to eleven people.  The best supplies are 
used and the utmost care is taken in the handling of all pieces, with 
the result that the laundry enjoys high popularity and corresponding 
prosperity.
	Mr. Reick married Mary Bude, daughter of Augustus Bude, of 
Catawissa, Pa., and they have had three children, Martha, Edna and 
George. The eldest daughter, Martha, is the wife of Thomas Nolan, and 
has had three children, William (deceased), Herbert T. and Rosie.  Mr. 
Reick and his family live upon his stock farm of fifty-eight acres at 
Paxinos. He is a member of the United Brethren Church.

	MARTIN LUTHER HENDRICKS, deceased, who until his death had been 
engaged in business in Sunbury from 1880 as a wholesale dealer in wines 
and liquors, was also well known as the owner of one of the largest and 
finest collections of Indian relics in his section of Pennsylvania. The 
house in which he lived has been remodeled and improved, but it is the 
oldest dwelling in Sunbury, having been built in 1775.  He was of the 
fourth or fifth generation of his family to reside in this region, his 
great-grandfather, Tobias Hendrick, having come to Snyder county from 
York county, Pa., in an early day, and Fort Hendrick, at Kreamer, Snyder 
county, was named after his father.
	Samuel Hendrick, son of Tobias, was born in Penn township, 
Northumberland (now Snyder) Co., Pa., and is buried at Row's church, in 
Snyder county, to which he gave twenty acres of ground with the 
provision that "no Hendrick should be refused burial in the cemetery of 
Row's Church."  The transfer of the deed is recorded in the courthouse 
at Sunbury. Samuel Hendrick was a prosperous farmer, owning a large 
tract which is now divided into three farms, all lying around Row's 
church. He married Elizabeth DeWees, who long survived him, and who upon 
her second marriage, to George Boger, sold the homestead (to a man named 
Look) and moved to Sunbury.  Samuel and Elizabeth Hendrick had one son, 
Benjamin, the father of Martin Luther Hendricks.  The members of the 
Hendricks family generally have been tall and of athletic build.
	Benjamin Hendricks, son of Samuel, was born in Snyder county Sept. 
25, 1811, received a common school education, and learned the trade of 
cigarmaker.  He was quite young when he went to Sunbury, in 1824, living 
there in a house which stood near the present site of the residence of 
John Haas.  His active years were spent principally at farming, 
merchandising and the manufacture of lime, and he prospered, at one time 
owning what is known as the Hunter farm, on which Fort Augusta was 
located, and also owning a good plantation in Caroline county, Va., 
which he bought after the Civil war. After his wife's death he lived on 
that property with his son, dying there in 1883. He was a director of 
the Sunbury, Hazleton & Wilkes-Barre Railroad Company during the 
construction of its road, which is now owned by the Pennsylvania 
Company, retaining that connection until the road came under the new 
ownership.
	Benjamin Hendricks married Ann Maria Shindel, who was born in 
Sunbury, Pa., daughter of Rev. John Peter Shindel, and she died Dec. 9, 
1877, aged sixty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks are buried in Pomfret 
Manor cemetery, at Sunbury.  They were members of the Lutheran church.  
To them were born twelve children, six sons and six daughters, viz. 
Samuel S. is deceased; William M. is deceased; Jacob S. is a resident of 
Virginia; Elizabeth D. married Hon. S. P. Wolverton, one of the foremost 
citizens of Northumberland county; Martin Luther is mentioned below; 
Susan Ann died at Allentown, of spotted fever; Louisa married M. R. 
Hemperly, a photographer, of Philadelphia; Mary S. (deceased) married 
Samuel Faust, of Sunbury; Catharine Y. died young; Isaac N. is a 
resident of Sunbury; John Peter S. is deceased; Ann Maria makes her home 
with her sister Mrs. Wolverton.
	Martin Luther Hendricks was born June 4, 1843, in Sunbury, and 
there began his education in the pay schools which were common in his 
boyhood. Later he went to what is now Susquehanna University, at 
Selinsgrove, and to Wittenberg College, at Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio, 
graduating from the latter institution in 1872. Since then he had been a 
resident of Sunbury, and in 1880 became engaged in the wholesale liquor 
business, being the first dealer of the kind in the borough. In that 
year he and his brother-in-law, B. F. Bright, became associated under 
the business name of B. F. Bright, and were in business together until 
Mr. Bright's death, in July, 1907, after which Mr. Hendricks carried on 
the business alone until his death. He carried a large and well assorted 
stock of wines and liquors, and had a large trade, built up by straight 
dealing and honorable business methods. Mr. Hendricks' death occurred 
June 21, 1911, at his home in Sunbury.
	As previously mentioned, Mr. Hendricks was the possessor of one of 
the largest and finest collections of Indian relics possessed by any one 
in his section, about twenty thousand specimens in 
	
	END OF PAGE 829
	
all, and his collections of beads, bracelets and similar articles is the 
largest owned by any one person in Pennsylvania.  Northumberland county 
was the home of Shikellimy, the most famous Indian chief of his day, and 
Mr. Hendricks was always deeply interested in his story and in local 
history generally, especially of the early days, when the red men were 
still in this section. In 1858 he dug up the remains of the famous 
chief, who had been interred above Fort Augusta, the public road now 
passing over the site of his grave; he had been given a Christian burial 
by one of the noted Moravian ministers of the day. When Mr. Hendricks 
disinterred his body he also found many Indian relics, pipes, beads, 
tomahawks, paint and paint cups, bracelets, a horse pistol, etc., all of 
which have been carefully preserved.
	On Aug. 6, 1878, Mr. Hendricks married Esther Amelia Bright, 
daughter of George and Sarah (Weiss) Bright.  They had no children.  
They resided at Woodlawn avenue and Third street, Sunbury, in a house 
which was originally built by George Sherwood, from Philadelphia, in 
1775, the oldest house now standing in Sunbury.  It is one and a half 
stories high, and built of logs, which are now, however, covered with 
weather-boards.

	TIMOTHY NEARY, proprietor of the "Pennsylvania House" at Gowen 
City, in Cameron township, Northumberland county, was born in the 
borough of Shamokin July 28, 1853, and is of Irish descent.  His 
grandfather, James Neary, settled in New York State upon his emigration 
from Ireland, and there passed the remainder of his life.
	James Neary, son of James Neary and father of Timothy Neary, was 
born in Ireland and was a young man when he came to America.  He first 
lived in New York State after his arrival in this country and was there 
engaged at day labor. Coming later to Shamokin, Northumberland Co., Pa., 
he was employed at the mines.  He died at Shamokin.  To James Neary and 
his wife Mary (Kennedy) were horn children as follows: Maria, Timothy, 
James, Bridget, Eliza and John.
	Timothy Neary obtained his education in the public schools of 
Shamokin.  When a boy he began work as so many of the youth of the 
region did, as slate picker.  He was thus employed at the Locust Gap and 
Cameron collieries for some time, and later tended door and loaded cars 
before he began cutting coal.  He followed this work for fifteen years, 
most of the time employed at the Cameron colliery, and in 1892 retired 
from mining.  He has since been engaged in the hotel business.  For 
several years he carried it on in Shamokin, in April, 1902, buying his 
present stand at Gowen City from Elias Gonser.  This hotel was built by 
Peter Weikel in 1852, and was the first in the district.  The  business 
has been enlarged and the service improved under Mr. Neary's 
proprietorship, and he has a profitable patronage, which be has gained 
and held by his accommodating and business-like methods.  He is a well 
known and respected citizen, and occupies an honorable place among the 
substantial residents of his community.
	Mr. Neary married Bridget Golden, daughter of James Golden, and to 
them were born two children: Mary, who is now the wife of Joseph Yeager 
and has two children, Mary C. and Elleanora; and John, at home. Mrs. 
Neary died Sept. 13, 1896, and is buried at Shamokin.  Socially Mr. 
Neary belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  In religion he is a 
Catholic; a member of St. Edward's Church, and in politics a Democrat.
	
	HENRY J. DONMAYER, a farmer of Washington township, Northumberland 
county, was  born May 22, 1856, in Jordan township, son of  Davis and 
Catharine (Geise) Donmayer.
	According to family tradition four Donmayer brothers came from the 
Fatherland and located in Berks county, Pa., one of them, Nicholas, 
locating across the Blue Mountains in the territory which in 1771 became 
part of Pine Grove township, Schuylkill (then Berks) county. His name on 
the first assessment list, made in 1772, appears as Nicholas Dornmeier.  
From him descended Henry Donmayer, the grandfather of Henry J. Donmayer, 
of Washington township, Northumberland county.
	Another of the four brothers, Peter "Dornmeyer" settled in 
Greenwich township, Berks county.  In 1790 he had one son under sixteen 
years old, a wife, and three daughters. His occupation was farming.  
Milton T. Donmayer, a prominent and influential citizen of Kutztown, 
Berks Co., Pa., is a descendant of Peter through Benjamin Donmayer 
(1799-1864), who was born in Longswamp township, Berks county, and died 
in Union township, Lebanon county.  He was a farmer in Maxatawny 
township, Berks county until 1845, when he sold out and moved to Lebanon 
county. His wife Hannah (Gernant) bore him the following children: 
Catharine, William, Lewis,  Maria, Franklin, Susan, Rudolph, Milton T 
(born in 1848) and Isaac (who died young). William, Lewis and Franklin 
were soldiers in Civil war, Lewis losing his life at the battle of Cold 
Harbor.
	Henry Donmayer, grandfather of Henry J. Donmayer, lived in Wayne 
township, not far from Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, and was a 
millwright and farmer.  His descendants are still found in that section.  
He and his wife Susan (Snyder) had children as follows: Davis; Henry 
(Harry), who lived in Schuylkill county; Susanna who died unmarried; 
Catharine, who died young; 
	
	END OF PAGE 830
	
and Mary, who married Edward Nies and lived for a time in Schuylkill 
county, later coming to Jordan township, Northumberland county.
	Davis Donmayer was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., and died Sept. 
9, 1906, in Jordan township, Northumberland county (aged eighty years, 
seven months, four days), where he is buried, at St. Paul's Church, 
Urban.  He was a member of the Lutheran Church, which he served as elder 
and deacon.  In his earlier life Mr. Donmayer was a farm laborer, later 
becoming a boatman on the old abandoned Union canal from Pine Grove to 
Middletown, and in time he went into the lime-burning business in Jordan 
township.  In 1878 he commenced farming in that township, which he 
continued until his death.  He owned a tract of thirty-eight acres. Mr. 
Donmayer was a Democrat, and he was a citizen who enjoyed the confidence 
of his fellow men, serving as treasurer and supervisor of his township.  
His wife, Catharine (Geise), daughter of George and Catherine (Schwartz) 
Geise, died May 9, 1907, aged eighty-two years, nine months, twenty-
three days, the mother of the following children: Mary J., Mrs. William 
Heim; Daniel, who died in his twentieth year; Henry J.; George, 
Elizabeth and Charles, who died young.
	Henry J. Donmayer obtained a common school education in Jordan 
township, and was a boy of only ten years when he began teaming 
regularly with his father, hauling coal, lime and doing all kinds of 
draying. In the spring of 1878 he began farming in Jordan township, on a 
thirty-six-acre tract upon which he lived for eight years, and in 1887 
he engaged in the butcher business, at which he continued for ten years.  
During this time he lived at Urban.  In the spring of 1898 he moved to 
Gowen City, in the eastern part of Cameron township, where he, farmed 
for two years, Thence moving to Eldred township, Schuylkill county, 
where he also farmed for two years. Moving hack to Jordan township, he 
was engaged in farming there for several years, until he sold out and 
moved to Lebanon, Pa., at which place he worked in the rolling mills. In 
the spring of 1907 he came to his present home, the old Daniel homestead 
in Washington township, which farm consists of 110 acres.  It was in 
the Daniel name from 1774 to 1907.  Two log houses stand on this land, 
one of which was built in 1800 and is still used as a dwelling; the 
other is not quite so old.  Mr. Donmayer has modern agricultural 
implements and is up-to-date in all the branches of his work, using 
scientific methods wherever practicable and working his land 
intelligently. He is a Democrat and has been active in promoting the 
success of his party.  While a resident of Jordan township he filled the 
office of school director three Years.  He and his family are Lutheran 
members of St. John's Church, which he has served as deacon.
	In 1882 Mr. Donmayer married Susan J. Snyder, daughter of George B. 
and Susan (Ramer) Snyder, of Eldred township, Schuylkill county, and 
they have five children: Adam F., Katie G., Charles O., Jerre B. and 
Harry R.

	GEORGE W. PAUL, merchant and postmaster at Line Mountain, in the 
most easterly part of Upper Mahanoy township, has been one of the most 
active residents of that section for a number of years and has passed 
all his life in the township, having been born there, on the Paul 
homestead, Aug. 27, 1853. He is descended from a family which has been 
settled in Pennsylvania from the early days, and which is still 
numerously represented there. The Federal Census Report of 1790 showed 
thirty-seven heads of families of this name in Pennsylvania alone, so 
that it is difficult for the genealogist to trace any one line without 
reliable records in the possession of the various branches of the 
family.  The line in which we are interested is traced from Valentine 
Paul.
	Valentine (known as "Falty") Paul, the pioneer who settled in 
Northumberland county, in that district now embraced in the territory of 
Upper Mahanoy township, located at the source of the Greenbrier creek, 
and owned a large tract of land, some of which he cleared and put under 
cultivation.  In 1805 he purchased 120 acres in Mahanoy (now Upper 
Mahanoy) township for 550 pounds lawful money "truly in hand paid" from 
Philip and Magd. Diehl.  The same year Philip and Magd. Diehl and their 
son Michael Diehl and his wife Magd. sold a second tract, lying adjacent 
to the one just mentioned, to Valentine Paul. He built a log house on 
what is now the farm of Peter H. Paul, and it was a very old structure 
when it was razed, in 1879. Valentine Paul was a member of the Reformed 
Church. He is buried at Howerters Church, but his grave is not marked. 
To him and his wife Susanna were born the following children: Benjamin, 
George, Michael, Valentine and Daniel.  Of these, Michael is the 
ancestor of the branch of the family to which George W. Paul belongs.  
Concerning the others, George succeeded his father on the homestead, 
living there until his removal in 1856 to Illinois, where his 
descendants continue to reside; his children were Valentine, Peter, 
Jacob, Hannah and Sarah. Valentine, who was a farmer, lived on another 
part of his father's homestead; among his children were Michael (who 
moved West), Andrew (who was killed by a "Yankee" through some trouble 
about a land transaction), Polly and Catharine (married John Diehl) 
Daniel lived in part of his brother George's house for a time, later 
moving out West, where he prospered; he married Hannah 
	
	END OF PAGE 831 
	
Heim, and they had one daughter, Mary, who was young when her parents 
moved West.  In 1803, when St. Jacob's Lutheran and Reformed Church was 
organized, Michael and Benjamin Paul were among the prominent members.
	Michael Paul, son of Valentine, was born in Upper Saucon township, 
Northampton Co., Aug. 13, 1768, and was there baptized.  In 
Northumberland county he settled two miles south of his father's 
homestead, on a tract which is now the property of David D. Paul, a 
grandson, having a farm of 135 acres which afforded him a good living.  
He died at an advanced age and is buried at the Salem (Herb) Church, of 
which he and his family were members.  His old family Bible, now in the 
possession of the widow of Elias Paul, shows date and place of his 
birth; that his wife Elizabeth Kuntzelman was born Jan. 25, 1773 (the 
wife of Michael Paul is recorded elsewhere as Elizabeth Geissinger, born 
Jan. 25, 1773, died Jan. 17, 1853; as his son Michael apparently married 
a Kuntzelman the surnames may have become mixed), and that their 
children were born as follows: Johannes, 1793; _____,  Dec. 27, 1794; 
_____, Sept 20, 1796; Michael, Sept. 21, 1798; Catharine, Oct. 27, 1800; 
John, Jan. 31, 1803;  Samuel,  Nov. 27, 1805; Susanna, Nov. 20, 1807; 
Tobias, Oct. 29, 1808. (Another account gives the children as Valentine, 
who remained on the homestead; Michael; and Lydia, who married Peter 
Brown.  Lydia, wife of Peter Brown, was according to tombstone records 
born Sept. 23, 1817, and died March 27, 1887.)  Among other items in the 
old Bible mentioned we find that Elias Paul, son of one Michael Paul, 
was born Oct. 15, 1824, and died May 8, 1906; his widow, Catharine 
(Maurer), was born Feb. 28, 1831.
	Michael Paul son of Michael and Elizabeth, was born Sept. 21, 1798, 
on the homestead, and died March 3, 1879. He is buried at St. John's 
Church, in Upper Mahanoy. He was a carpenter and an all-around skillful 
mechanic, being able to make shoes and wagons and do tailoring, in fact 
there was little in the way of handicraft that he did not undertake 
successfully. He was also a prosperous farmer, owning a tract of 100 
acres, on which he built the house which still stands in 1868.  In 1866 
he built a barn, but it was destroyed by lightning in 1898 and rebuilt 
by his son Peter.  He took an active part in local affairs, serving as 
supervisor and school director, and was prominent in the religious life 
of the community, being a Lutheran member of St. John's Church, which he 
served officially during the greater part of his mature life.  His wife, 
Esther Hornberger, was a daughter of George Hornberger, who is buried in 
a private burial ground in a field in the eastern part of Cameron 
township.  (Tombstone records say Michael L. Paul, born Sept. 21, 1798, 
died _____3, 1879, aged eighty years, seven months, twelve days; wife 
Catharine Kuntzelman, born July 22, 1800, died Nov. 2, 1873. Johannes 
Kuntzelman and his wife Margaretha Beissin had a daughter Maria 
Catharine, born July 22, 1800.) To Mr. and Mrs. Michael Paul were born 
children as follows: John, who died in the Stone hospital Washington, D. 
C., while serving in the army during the Civil war; Catharine, who 
married Elias Kahler; Peter H.; Polly, who married Andrew Kahler; George 
W.; Daniel H., who lives in Dauphin county, Pa. (his post office is 
Progress); and William, a resident of Upper Mahanoy township.
	Peter H. Paul, son of Michael, is a retired farmer of Upper Mahanoy 
township, where for many years he was well known in public affairs, as 
well as in business life.  He was born Aug. 5, 1848, and began his 
education in the subscription schools, later attending the free schools 
for two terms. Like his father, he is a mechanical genius, being able to 
work at many trades, and thus he has worked as a carpenter, blacksmith 
and wheelwright, has made a number of new wagons, and has made cloth for 
his own use, being handy at all sorts of mechanical work.  He farmed for 
some years, owning eighty acres of the original Paul homestead, and he 
built the present barn on that tract in 1898.  His undertakings 
prospered well under his efficient management, and his ability was 
recognized by his fellow citizens, who elected him for three terms as 
assessor and for the same period as school director.  In politics he is 
identified with the Democratic party.
	In November, 1873, Mr. Paul married Elizabeth Snyder, daughter of 
Simon and Leah (Wetzel) Snyder, of Upper Mahanoy township, and they have 
one daughter, Mary O., now the wife of Albert Gessner and the mother of 
one child, Leroy Allen; Mr. and Mrs. Gessner live with her parents, and 
he follows farming and carpentering.  Mrs. Paul suffers almost 
constantly from rheumatism, having been an invalid practically since 
1902, but her mental faculties are unimpaired, and she bears her 
infirmity with Christian fortitude.  Mr. Paul and his family are 
Lutheran members of St. John's Church.
	George W. Paul first attended the subscription schools, later 
receiving the benefits of the free schools. He was reared to farm life, 
and according to local custom worked for his parents until of age, in 
1875 beginning to farm on his own account, at the homestead.  The 
following spring he settled at his present farm in Upper Mahanoy, which 
contains ninety-one acres.  It was at one time a Wren homestead, but the 
present set of buildings was erected by one Elias Smith. It was Wren, 
however, that established the mercantile business, about 1825, 
conducting it for many years, and he was succeeded by George Snyder, 
Elias 
	
	END OF PAGE 832
	
Schankweiler, and Smith & Herner, in turn. For some years after Smith & 
Herner discontinued business the store was closed, but Mr. Paul reopened 
it after moving to this location, in 1876, and two years later he 
succeeded in having the post office re-established, it having been 
removed to a place then known as Maurey's Hotel, near St. Jacob's 
Church. The store and post office are the most easterly in the township. 
Mr. Paul owns another farm besides his home place, a tract of 160 acres 
formerly known as the Daniel Howerter place, also in the eastern end of 
the township. Mr. Paul has been intrusted with various public 
responsibilities, was assessor of the township for some years, and, was 
elected justice of the peace, but did not care to assume the duties of 
that position.  On political questions he is a Democrat.
	In 1874 Mr. Paul married Amelia Haas, daughter of Nathan and 
Elizabeth (Knorr) Haas, and they have had a family of four children: 
Sophronia, wife of Herbert C. Knorr, living in Shamokin, Pa.; Francis 
M., who married Katie Kehler and lives in Shamokin; George V., and Mabel 
C.  Mr. Paul and his family worship at St. Jacob's Union Church, and he 
has been one of its useful members, having served eight years as deacon, 
and being present treasurer of the Sunday school, which office he has 
filled continuously since 1894.

	WILLIAM C. BOYER, who has an up-to-date meat market and grocery in 
the borough of Sunbury, is one of the younger business men of that place 
whose energy and progressiveness have been marked factors in the 
bringing about of present conditions in its commercial life.  He has 
been a resident of Sunbury since 1900.  Mr. Boyer was born in Montour 
county, Pa., Nov. 13, 1876, and is a member of an old family of that 
region whose founder there, Henry Boyer, moved from Berks county, this 
State. He followed farming until his death, and is buried at the Follmer 
Church.  He and his wife Catharine had children as follows: Jacob, 
Henry, Christopher, Susan, Benjamin, Phebe (Mrs. Thomas Bieber), Leah 
(Mrs. George Bieber) and Maria (Mrs. Henry Roul).
	Benjamin Boyer, son of Henry, lived in Montour county, had a small 
farm, and engaged in farming and the manufacture of brick.  He died Oct. 
20, 1889, aged seventy-six years, and is buried at the Follmer Church. 
To him and his wife Mary (Miller) daughter of Samuel Miller, were born 
these children: Samuel M. lives at Pottsgrove, Pa., where he is serving 
as postmaster; George Francis lives in Michigan; Catharine died in 
infancy; Zacharias M. lives at Milton, Pa.; Charles P. lives on the 
homestead near Pottsgrove; U. Grant lives at Clarkstown, Pennsylvania.
	Zacharias M. Boyer, son of Benjamin, was born May 6, 1851, on the 
homestead in Montour county, Pa. He was reared upon the farm and also 
worked in his father's brickyard.  In 1878 he moved to Milton, 
Northumberland county, where he still makes his home, and has ever since 
been engaged in the teaming business.  He is an industrious and thrifty 
man, and is regarded by all who know him as an excellent citizen.  On 
Dec. 30, 1875, Mr. Boyer married Emma Lattimere, daughter of Robert and 
Juliann (Gross) Lattimere, and they have the following children: William 
C. is mentioned below; Celia married Myron Fowler; Myrtle married Joseph 
Boyer; Mary; Catharine; Bertha; Robert.
	William C. Boyer obtained his education in the common schools of 
Chillisquaque township, Northumberland county.  He was employed at farm 
work until he reached the age of sixteen, after which he worked in the 
Godcharles iron works at Milton for about eight years.  On Jan. 7, 1900, 
he arrived in Sunbury, where he completed an apprenticeship as butcher, 
in 1904 engaging in the butcher business on his own account at his 
present location, No. 330 Line street, corner of Catawissa avenue.  In 
1906 he added a line of groceries, and he has since continued both 
branches of the business, having built up a large trade, one of the most 
extensive enjoyed by any tradesman in the city.  He employs three men 
steadily.  Mr. Boyer carries a very complete and desirable stock of 
groceries, both staples and fancy lines, and his meat market has the 
highest reputation.  His prosperity is well deserved, for he has worked 
hard to attain his standing, and is much respected in business circles 
as well as among his patrons.
	On June 23, 1905, Mr. Boyer married Mary Amelia Martz, daughter of 
William J. and Louisa (Lenig) Martz, of Sunbury, and they have four 
children: Mildred E., Charles W., Geraldine and Rachel. Mr. and Mrs. 
Boyer are members of Zion's Lutheran Church at Sunbury. Fraternally he 
belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Modern Woodmen and the P.O.S. of A., 
all at Sunbury.

	EMANUEL WILSON KERSTETTER, proprietor of a thriving general store 
at No. 619 West Pine street, Shamokin, is a native of Schuylkill county 
but a member of an old Northumberland county family.  He is a descendant 
in the fifth generation from George Kerstetter, the founder of the 
family here.
	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 be 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, and died in Cameron township, this county.  He was a 
shoemaker by trade.  His children were: Simon; John F.; 
	
	END OF PAGE 833
	
Adam, living in Coal township; Abraham, living in Cameron township; 
Susan, who married George Latsha; Kittie, who married Elias Derk; 
Salena, who married Jacob Weikel; Eliza, who married Daniel Kobel.
	John F. Kerstetter, son of John, was born Oct. 30, 1817, in Little 
Mahanoy township, Northumberland county, and died April 29, 1875, in 
Cameron township, where he is buried, at St. Peter's Lutheran church. He 
followed the stone-mason's trade in the Mahantango Valley and owned a 
farm of seventy-six acres in Cameron township. His wife, Abbie (Kramer), 
daughter of Christian and Lydia (Weary) Kramer, died in December, 1905, 
aged eighty-two years.  They had a large family, viz.: Elizabeth married 
Alfred Schroder; Hettie married Samuel Croffert; Joel is mentioned 
below; Seth lives near Goastown; Nathaniel lives at Mount Carmel; Helena 
married Jonathan Long; Henry lives on the old homestead in Cameron 
township; Lewis, born Aug. 20, 1854, a resident of Shamokin, married 
Mary A. Stahl and their children are Laura Ella, Daniel H., Oswald W. 
and Lewis Oliver; Andrew is deceased; James is deceased; Jacob lives at 
Shamokin; Joseph lives on the old homestead in Cameron township; Susan 
married James Latsha, of Mount Carmel; Catharine married Amos Rhoads and 
they are living in the West.
	Joel Kerstetter, son of John F., was born in 1848 in Northumberland 
county, and has followed farming all his life, now living in Upper 
Mahanoy township, where he owns a farm of ninety acres.  He is a 
prosperous and respected citizen of his community.  He married Hattie 
Dunkelberger, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Federolf) Dunkelberger, and 
they have had seven children, namely: Emanuel W., Amelia, William, 
James, Mary, Carrie and Ida.
	Emanuel Wilson Kerstetter was born Sept. 10, 1869, at Klingerstown, 
Schuylkill Co., Pa., and received his education in the schools of Upper 
Mahanoy township and at the Gratz Academy, in Dauphin county.  He had 
good advantages, and after leaving school as a pupil taught for seven 
years in all, being thus engaged in Upper Mahanoy township, this county, 
and in Eldred township, Schuylkill county. Coming to Shamokin in 1894, 
he found employment with N. C. Wolverton, as clerk, remaining with him 
about four years, since which time he has been engaged in business on 
his own account. He has a fine store at No. 619 West Pine street, and 
carries a stock of general merchandise which meets the local demand.  He 
has good judgment in buying and anticipates the wants of his customers, 
whom he holds by satisfactory goods and prompt service. His store is 
well patronized and has a steadily growing trade. Mr. Kerstetter is 
regarded as one of the progressing business men of the borough. He is a 
member of the Board of Trade and takes an intelligent interest in all 
projects which have for their object the welfare of the community, the 
promotion of trade activities and the encouragement of up-to-date public 
institutions.
	On Dec. 25, 1891, Mr. Kerstetter married Alice Schreffler, daughter 
of Isaac and Malinda (Daniel) Schreffler, and six children have been 
born to them: Mabel, Charles, Hattie, Luther, Leona and Irene. Mr. 
Kerstetter is a member of the Lutheran Church and Sunday school, and 
socially he unites with the P.O.S. of A.

	LEONARD KERSTETTER was an early settler in the western part of 
Cameron township, Northumberland county. He owned a tract of forty-four 
acres on which he farmed, erected a house and barn on this place, and 
died aged about eighty years.  He is buried in Cameron township.  In 
1778 the names of Leonard and Martin Kerstetter appear among the 
pioneers of Mahanoy township, but in the first assessment of Cameron 
township, in 1814, Leonard's name appears among the taxables. His name 
appears in 1803 among the organizers of St. Jacob's Lutheran and 
Reformed Church, in Upper Mahanoy township.  His wife's maiden name was 
Gerhard, and she is buried by his side. They had a large family, namely: 
Leonard, Philip, John, George, Daniel, Michael, Susan (married Peter 
Weigel), Hannah (married John Reichard), Mary Elizabeth (married Michael 
Derk and died in May, 1898, aged one hundred years, three months, 
eighteen days, at the home of her nephew, Simon Peter Kerstetter, in 
West Cameron township; she is buried at St. Peter's church in that 
township).
	Leonard Kerstetter, son of Leonard, was a farmer in the western 
part of Cameron township, where he and his wife, Barbara (Heller), are 
buried. They had five children: John, who died young; Simon Peter; 
Isaac; Catharine, who married Daniel Kraemer; Salome, who married 
Solomon Gottshall.
	Philip Kerstetter, son of Leonard, lived at Trevorton. He was a 
farmer for some years, in his later life hauling coal. He was twice 
married, and by his first wife had two children, Robert and Adam. To his 
second marriage, with Catharine Eisenhart, were born three children: 
Felix, Mary and Catharine.
	John Kerstetter, son of Leonard, was a farmer in Cameron township. 
His children were: John, Abraham, Adam, Salome and Elizabeth.
	George Kerstetter, son of Leonard, was a farmer and landowner of 
Cameron township, and is buried there. His wife was a Derck, and their 
children were: Daniel, George and Levi.
	Daniel Kerstetter, son of Leonard, lives in the eastern part of 
Cameron township, near Gowen 
	
	END OF PAGE 834 
	
City. He engaged in work around the coal mines.  He married Lusenna 
Wary, and among their children are Alexander and Joseph.
	Michael Kerstetter, son of Leonard, lived in Bear Valley, two miles 
from Shamokin, where he did work about the coal mines.  He married a 
Martz, and they had a large family.  Their son William is out West. 
Charles was another son. 
	Simon Peter Kerstetter, son of Leonard and grandson of Leonard, was 
born June 3, 1840, and spent most of his life in Cameron township, 
working in the coal mines. He now, however, lives in Little Mahanoy.  On 
April 15, 1866, he married Elizabeth Bingaman, and of their four 
children three are deceased, the survivor, Benjamin Franklin Kerstetter, 
being a farmer in Little Mahanoy township, where he owns the original 
John Dunkelberger homestead.  He married R. Agnes Long, and their 
children are: Elizabeth, Lloyd, George, Francis and Theresa.

	WILLIAM HENRY FRANCIS, proprietor of the "Central House" at 
Trevorton, is one of the progressive business men of that town and is 
regarded as one of its reliable citizens. He was born July 19, 1874, at 
Excelsior, this county, son of John Paul Francis, who is now living, 
retired at Trevorton.
	Matthew Francis, his grandfather, was born in 1808 in Cornwall, 
England, where he followed ore mining.  Coming to America in 1840, he 
settled at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he followed mining 
until his death a few years later, in 1847. His wife, Sarah (Paul), had 
come to America with their children in the fall of 1842, her husband 
meeting them at New York City.  She survived Mr. Francis over forty 
years, dying Nov. 29, 1891, aged eighty-three years, six months, 
fourteen days. The children were: Matthew, who died in Iowa; John Paul; 
Joseph, who died in Philadelphia; Sarah, widow of Charles Webb, now 
living at Shenandoah, Schuylkill county; Jane, who married William 
Botham, of Newcastle, Pa.; Mary, widow of James Clifford, living at 
Allentown, Pa.; and William Henry, a resident of Trevorton.
	John Paul Francis, son of Matthew, was born Feb. 26, 1836, in 
Cornwall, England, and was six years old when his mother brought him to 
America. At the early age of eight he began picking slate at the 
breaker, and in time became a miner, which occupation he followed for 
about forty years, becoming foreman, in which capacity he served at the 
Glendower colliery, near Minersville, Schuylkill county, and at the 
Enterprise colliery, operated by Thomas Baumgardner & Co. Having settled 
in the Mahanoy Valley, in Cameron township, Northumberland county, be 
followed farming for thirty-four years before his retirement from active 
labor. In 1909 he removed to Trevorton, where he has since led a retired 
life.  Mr. Francis has long been an ardent Republican in politics, and 
served as committeeman of his party in Cameron township, where he was 
also elected to the school board. He is a member of the Methodist 
Church, and has always taken an interest in everything affecting the 
public good. During the Civil war he enlisted, in April, 1861, in 
Company B, 14th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he 
served three months as a private, being discharged at Carlisle, Pa., in 
August.
	Mr. Francis first married Eliza Jane Craze, daughter of William 
Craze, of Schuylkill county, Pa., and she died in 1888, the mother of 
seven children, namely: Thomas M., born April 18, 1864, died March 22, 
1866; Jemima, born Oct. 1, 1865, married Benjamin Machmer, of Trevorton; 
John H., born July 4, 1867, died Sept. 19, 1890; Emma Jane, born July 7, 
1869, died Feb. 6, 1871; Joseph F., born July 6, 1871, married Ada 
Kline, daughter of Joseph, and they have one child, Paul A. (they live 
at Trevorton); William Henry was born July 19, 1874; Eliza H., born Dec. 
16, 1876, died in July, 1877. For his second wife Mr. Francis married 
Mary Margaret Holzapfel, daughter of Philip M. and Anna M. (Ernst) 
Holzapfel, natives of Germany who came to America and settled in Cameron 
township, Northumberland Co., Pa., where they lived and died. Mr. and 
Mrs. Francis have had children as follows: Benjamin H., born Oct. 18, 
1888, died Aug. 11, 1903; Stanley E., born Oct. 23, 1890, and Wilfred 
P., born Dec. 30, 1892, are at home; Carrie G., born Sept. 9, 1896, died 
Aug. 1, 1907; Elva B., born Aug. 17, 1899,, is in school.
	William Henry Francis, son of John Paul Francis by his first 
marriage, went with his parents to the Mahanoy Valley when a boy and 
there grew up, attending the local public schools in his earlier years, 
and in time commencing work at the mines. He was thus engaged for about 
fifteen years, at the North Franklin colliery. For a short time 
following he had a grocery business at Trevorton, in June, 1907, buying 
out the interest of D. N. Berkheiser in the "Central Hotel," which he 
has since conducted.  It is a well known hotel stand, and Mr. Francis 
has shown considerable business ability in the manner in which he has 
carried it on.  He is ambitious and a good manager, and has every 
prospect of taking a permanent place among the substantial business men 
of the town. He has served four years as auditor of Zerbe township, and 
has been quite active in local political circles as a worker in the 
Republican party, having been township committeeman for four terms.
	In 1898 Mr. Francis married Sarah Ann Reed, youngest daughter of 
Emanuel Reed, of Trevorton, and they have one son, Franklin Reed 
Francis. 

	Peter Reed, Mrs. Francis's paternal grandfather, was born in, 
Schuylkill county, Pa., and when only 
	
	END OF PAGE 835
	
a young man he was killed while blasting rock, on the Broad Mountain 
township road, in Schuylkill county. His wife was Madalena Kaufman, and 
their children were: Henry, who is deceased; Emanuel; Samuel, who was 
killed while serving in the army, in 1864; and Peter, deceased.
	EMANUEL REED, son of Peter, was born July 5, 1840, in Lykens 
Valley, Schuylkill county, and was twelve years old when he came to 
Trevorton. He began work as a slate picker and followed mining until he 
reached the age of sixty-three years, since when he has lived retired. 
In 1864 Mr. Reed entered the Union service, enlisting in Company B, 
184th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and saw service at Cold Harbor, 
the Wilderness, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Ream's Station and Hatcher's 
Run, remaining in the army to the close of the war.  He married Sarah 
Holshue, daughter of George Holshue, and they had the following 
children:  Alice married Richard Phillips, of Shamokin; Elizabeth J. 
married Joseph Heim, of Trevorton; Helen J., twin of Elizabeth J., 
married Wilson Kline, of Trevorton; Emma married Jacob Snyder, of 
Trevorton; Mazzie married Daniel Reitz, of Shamokin Dam, Snyder county; 
Sarah Ann married William Henry Francis; Peter, Stephen, William and 
Emanuel, Jr., are residents of Trevorton.

	HUBERT E. SNYDER, farmer and dairyman of Rockefeller township, 
Northumberland county, was born June 18, 1869, in Lower Augusta 
township, where the founder of the family in this region settled before 
the Revolutionary war.
	Casper Snyder, the pioneer of the family in Northumberland county, 
came from Germany and settled here before the Revolution. He was a large 
land owner, having nearly one thousand acres, including what is now a 
part of the Updegrove farm, the Thomas, Peter and Adam Snyder farms, the 
tract now owned by Dennis H. and Newton W. Snyder, his great-grandsons, 
etc. He was a farmer and tavern-keeper, his tavern being located on the 
old Harrisburg and Sunbury road, where his son Peter succeeded him; in 
1798 he built the old brick tavern known as "Blue Ball Tavern."  He and 
his wife, Elizabeth Farst are buried in the River cemetery at Fisher's 
Ferry, and according to the records there he was born May 2, 1745, and 
died Sept. 3, 1821.  "Elizabeth" wife of Casper Snyder, born Feb. 5, 
1754, died Aug. 12, 1823. They had the following children: (1) John, 
born Nov. 29, 1776, died April 29, 1851.  (2) Polly, born June 24, 1782, 
died March 7, 1856, married a Mr. Updegraph and had three sons and one 
daughter, Isaac, Thomas, Adam and Sarah.  Of these, Adam went to look 
after the vast fortune due the Snyders as heirs of the brother (of 
Elizabeth) Farst in Holland, but the connection was lost and he had no 
proofs to establish the claim. (3) Peter, born April 21, 1783, died Feb. 
19, 1866. (4) Sarah (Sally) married John Hendershot (1790-1851), and 
died Feb. 23, 1863, aged seventy-two years, three months, one day.  They 
had six daughters and two sons, Eliza (Mrs. David Shipman), Harriet (who 
married Sylvanus Shipman, brother of David), Lydia (Mrs. Christian 
Fisher), Jane (Mrs. John Jones), Rebecca (Mrs. Sylvanus Shipman), Mary 
Ann (Mrs. Chambers Wynn), Isaac and Hiram.  (5) George, born Sept. 3, 
1785, died Feb. 9, 1812.  (6) Casper lived near Sunbury, in Upper 
Augusta township.  He had sons Thomas and Simon, and daughter Catharine 
(who married John Cooper; we have record of one daughter, Mary Cooper).  
(7) Catharine married William Silverwood and had sons, James, William 
and Hiram, and daughters Elizabeth (Mrs. John McPresson), Sarah  (Mrs. 
John Climer), Harriet (who married Samuel Couldren) and Susannah (who 
married in the West).
	John Snyder, son of Casper, was born in Lower Augusta township Nov. 
29, 1776, and there made his home, owning the farm which is now the 
property of Martha Gass.  His holdings were very large, his property 
having been divided into eight farms, seven of which he gave to his 
children. He owned and operated a distillery, cider press and sawmill 
and kept several teams busy transporting goods for him between here and 
Philadelphia, which was the market center for grain and provisions. A 
prominent and influential citizen of his day, he served twenty-five 
years as justice of the peace and held the rank of colonel in the State 
militia, standing at the head of the militia in his district for some 
years. He died April 29, 1851. His wife, Maria Margaret (Fisher), known 
as "Peggy" (only sister of Christian Fisher), is buried in the 
Presbyterian cemetery. They had children as follows: George, Thomas, 
Elizabeth (called Betsy, married John Wynn), Peter J., John, Adam (born 
April 9, 1814, died Dec. 15, 1895; his wife Martha died Sept. 30, 1860, 
aged forty-six years, five months, ten days) and Sally (born Jan. 10, 
1809, married John Ebright and died July 23, 1850).  Of these, George, 
born Sept. 2, 1801, died Feb. 2, 1866. He was the progenitor of another 
branch of the family fully mentioned in this work.
	John Snyder, son of John and Maria Margaret (Fisher) Snyder, was a 
millwright by trade, following that business all over the State.  He 
also did farming, owning a small farm in Lower Augusta township.  A man 
of active mind, he took an interest in matters of general interest, held 
the rank of captain in the State militia, and at the time of his death 
was serving as overseer of the poor.  He was an old-line Whig in 
political conviction. He died March 25, 1877, aged sixty-nine years, 
eleven months, eleven days, and his wife, Martha (Norvinger), born Dec. 
23, 1808, died 
	
	END OF PAGE 836 
	
Jan. 31, 1862.  They are buried at the Mountain Presbyterian Church. 
Mrs. Snyder was a Methodist in religious connection.  They were the 
parents of eleven children, viz.: William; Matthew; Margaret, Mrs. Peter 
Shipman; Levi; Maria, Mrs. John Shipman; John N.; Henry C.; Susan, Mrs. 
David DeWitt; Jemima, who died unmarried: Stephen D., a railroad 
engineer; and Lydia, Charles B. Smith. John N. is the only surviving 
son, and three of the daughters are living: Margaret Susan and Lydia.
	John N. Snyder, born March 5, 1838, on the Snyder homestead in 
Lower Augusta township, followed milling in that township until his 
health failed in 1876, when he moved to Rockefeller township. There he 
owns a farm of 145 acres in Brush Valley, which formerly belonged to 
Maj. Samuel Lantz, who built the large frame residence now standing on 
the property.  Here Mr. Snyder farmed and followed dairying until the 
fall of 1908, and he has been succeeded by his son Hubert E.  In the 
spring of 1909 he retired and moved to Sunbury, where he resides at No. 
108 South Tenth street. He was made a Mason in 1874 in Lafayette Lodge, 
No. 194, F. & A.M., and in 1908 was transferred to Lodge No. 22, of 
Sunbury. Mr. Snyder served with the Union army during the Civil war 
under two enlistments, the first for nine months, during which he was a 
member of Company C, 136th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, of 
which he was a non-commissioned officer.  Upon the expiration of that 
term he enlisted in Company H, 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He participated 
in the Antietam campaign, in the engagements at Fredericksburg and 
Chancellorsville, the Richmond and Petersburg campaign, the battle of 
Five Forks, the flank movement on Richmond, etc.  The morning of Lee's 
surrender he was engaged with Custer's forces, was dismounted, and after 
the surrender was sent back to camp at Richmond with other dismounted 
and disabled troops, and there received his discharge, by general order 
of the war department. Politically he is a Republican. He is a citizen 
who has always been willing to do his duty by the community, though he 
has taken no official part in the administration of public affairs.
	In 1868 Mr. Snyder married Katie E. Seiler, daughter of George 
Seiler, of Lower Augusta township. Their sons have been born in Lower 
Augusta township, their daughters in Rockefeller township, namely:  
Hubert F.; George A., of Sunbury; Claud H.; Lizzie E., who married 
Addison C. Miller, a farmer and dairyman of Upper Augusta township, 
where they reside; Turie M., unmarried; and Jennie E., wife of Horace B. 
Neff.
	Hubert E. Snyder was reared upon the farm, and worked for his 
parents until he reached his majority.  In the spring of 1908 he began 
farming his father's farm in Rockefeller township, which he has since 
conducted with great success, making a specialty of dairying in addition 
to general agriculture. He wholesales his milk in Sunbury. He is an 
intelligent and thrifty farmer, employing up-to-date methods in his work 
and proving himself thoroughly progressive in everything he undertakes.  
His standing in the community is high, and he deserves the respect of 
his fellowmen.
	On Aug. 3, 1908, Mr. Snyder married Edna Stamm, daughter of J. 
William Stamm, of Northumberland, this county. They have one son, John 
William. The family belong to Lantz's Reformed Church. In political 
matters Mr. Snyder is a Republican.

	GEIST. The Geist family has been well known in the lower end of 
Northumberland county for several generations.  In 1828 one John Geist 
was a trustee of the Reformed congregation at the old established Himmel 
Church, in Washington township, with which the Geists have been 
prominently identified down to the present day.  When St. John's 
Lutheran and Reformed Church, of Upper Mahanoy township, was organized 
in 1853 Peter Geist was one of the first trustees.
	Christopher Geist, a German mineralogist, went from his native land 
to England, and from there was sent to Schwenkville, in Montgomery 
county, Pa., to manage or superintend a copper mine which is to this day 
an old landmark of that district. It is believed that one of the sons of 
this emigrant located in Longswamp township, Berks county. We find that 
one Christopher Geist came to America in 1740 on the ship "Lydia"; 
Fried. Wilhelm Geist came on the ship "Ranier" to America in 1749; and 
Hans Jacob Geist came on the "Brothers" in 1754. It is believed that the 
Geists now living in the Falkner Swamp district Montgomery county, and 
the Geists of Longswamp township, Berks county, are of the same stock; 
and there were other Geists in Chester county, one Matthias Geist living 
on the west bank of the Schuylkill river in that county (it is thought 
he was buried at a Mennonite meetinghouse in that county); and John H. 
Geist, of Sunbury, is a great-grandson of Conrad Geist, who came from 
Germany about 1760 and located in Berks county.  In 1790 there lived in 
Lancaster county the families of George and Jacob Geist, and in the same 
year the families of John and Matthew Geist lived in Montgomery county.  
In 1790 Conrad Geist of the borough of Reading, had three sons over 
sixteen years old; two daughters; and wife.  The same year there is 
record of George Geist of Longswamp township, Berks county, with one son 
under sixteen years of age, one daughter, and wife and of Valentine 
Geist, of Longswamp township with one son under sixteen, two daughters 
and wife.
	An Andrew Geist died early in January, 1850, in Upper Mahanoy 
township, Northumberland 
	
	END OF PAGE 837
	
county; his executors were Andrew Geist and Joseph Feger. Another Andrew 
Geist died in July 1860; his executor was Solomon Schonkweiler.
	Andrew Geist, grandfather of Wilson H. Geist of Upper Mahanoy 
township, was born in Upper Mahanoy Jan. 5, 1801, son of Andrew Geist. 
He lived on the farm there now owned by his son Andrew, a tract of 112 
acres which formerly belonged to one Andrew Snyder, and died there Feb. 
12, 1878, his son Andrew succeeding him as owner of the property. 
Earlier he had owned and occupied a farm near by. He and his wife Mary 
Magdalena (Hepler), born May 4, 1803, died April 5, 1869, are buried at 
the Himmel Church, where several generations of Geists have been 
interred.  He held several offices as an active member of the Reformed 
congregation of that church. His children were as follows: Elias located 
in Jefferson county, Pa.; Sarah married Daniel Seiler; Emanuel, born in 
1828, died in 1844; Daniel H. is mentioned below; Lydia, born in 1834, 
died in 1836; Andrew is mentioned below; John, now (1910) sixty-five 
years old, has been an invalid all his life, having never been able to 
walk, and he now lives with Mr. and Mrs. Felix D. Mattern (the latter 
being his niece), who care for him tenderly, he being entirely helpless 
(he has a life interest in the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Mattern); Mary is 
deceased.
	Daniel H. Geist, son of Andrew, was born May 31, 1832, in Upper 
Mahanoy township, and was a lifelong farmer. He lived three quarters of 
a mile west of Leck Kill, on a sixty-five-acre tract of valuable land 
now owned by his son Wilson H. Geist, and built the present barn there 
about 1875, putting up the house several years later, in 1883. He died 
there Aug. 13, 1901.  He was a Democrat, and served many years as member 
of the township school board; His religious connection was with the 
Reformed congregation of the Himmel Church, to which his family also 
belong, and he served officially as deacon and elder. His wife, Cecellia 
(Updegraff), daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Kimmel) Updegraff, died 
Dec. 29, 1896, aged sixty-five years, nine months.  They had children as 
follows: Mary died young; Alice married Rudolph Snyder; James married 
Mary Rothermel and died while a young man, leaving children, Edwin, Maud 
and Flossie; Wilson H. is mentioned below; Cassie married William Bast, 
of Leck Kill, and they have children, Gertie, Jennie, Walter, Morris, 
Stella, Harry and Clarence; Henrietta married Daniel Kieffer and they 
live in Washington township; Sylvester died when nine years old; Katie 
is the wife of William B. Geist.
	Andrew Geist, son of Andrew and brother of Daniel H. Geist, has 
passed all his life in Upper Mahanoy township, where he was born July 4, 
1839.  He was reared to farming, which he has always followed. and since 
his father's death he has owned the homestead place, which is a valuable 
piece of property and has been kept in a profitable state of cultivation 
under his efficient management.  He met with continued success in his 
work, and during the later seventies built the fine large brick 
residence on the farm which he has since occupied. Mr. Geist married 
Mary Latsha, daughter of the late Michael Latsha, of Jackson township, 
and they have had five children: Ida married Felix D. Mattern; Agnes 
married David Trautman; Jesse married Alice C. Reitz; Oscar died young; 
Ella married Calvin Miller. Mr. Geist and his family are members of the 
Himmel Church, which he has served as deacon, elder and trustee.  On 
political questions he is a Democrat.
	WILSON H. GEIST, son of Daniel H. Geist, was born Feb. 22, 1867, in 
Upper Mahanoy township, where he is still engaged in farming, on his 
father's old homestead near Leck Kill. He received his education in the 
township schools, and his training to farm work under his father's 
supervision, working for his parents until he came of age. He has since 
been farming on the homestead on his own account, and his work has been 
successful to such an extent that he has been able to add twenty-two 
acres to the property, having one of the most valuable places along the 
Greenbrier creek, better known as Swabian creek.  Mr. Geist has taken an 
interest in the local welfare and has served the township as overseer of 
the poor some years and as member of the road commission since 1907.  
Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.  He and his 
family are Reformed members of the Himmel Church.
	In 1890 Mr. Geist married Helen Koppenhaver, who was born Feb. 21, 
1872, in Shamokin, this county, daughter of Joseph and Rosanna (Faust) 
Koppenhaver, and they. have had eight children: Maizie Edna, who died 
when exactly five months old; Beulah May, who died when one year, ten 
months old; Vertie M.; Earl R.; Edith A.; Luma E.; Helen M., 
and Russell W.
	Abraham Geist, grandfather of William B. Geist, of Upper Mahanoy 
township, was born in Upper Mahanoy March 20, 1813, and was a successful 
farmer and enterprising business man, being one of the first dealers in 
live stock in his district.  He had the best farm in the township, a 
place of 160 acres. He died Aug. 28, 1883, and is buried at Himmel's 
Church, as is also his wife, Elizabeth (Hepler), who was born June 10, 
1813, and died July 14, 1888.  She was a large and powerful woman, 
weighing nearly three hundred pounds.  Besides John H. Geist they had 
children as follows: Christian (daughter), born in 1834, who died in 
1835; Frank; William; Samuel; Lizzie, who married Alexander Gonser and 
lives at Lewisburg; William (2); Lydia, who 
	
	END OF PAGE 838 
	
married Daniel Swartz and lived at Urban, Pa.; Hettie, who married Jacob 
Snyder (they are buried at Leck Kill Church); and Polly, who married 
Michael Powell and (second) a Mr. Shoemaker.
	John H. Geist, son of Abraham, lived for a number of years in Upper 
Mahanoy township, of which he was one of the best known residents in his 
day.  He was a most enterprising business man, a merchant, huckster, 
butcher, hotel-keeper and farmer, owned Leck Kill and several large 
farms there, was postmaster at Leck Kill, and in every way the leading 
spirit of the place.  For ten years before his death he conducted the 
"Central House" at Williamstown, Dauphin county, and his son John has 
succeeded him as proprietor of this place. He died there in 1905, at the 
age of sixty-one years. His widow, Harriet (Beisel), is still living at 
Williamstown.  They had children: Wilson O., William B., Anson, Charles, 
James, Martin, John and Laura (married to George Troutman and living in 
Snyder county).
	WILLIAM B. GEIST was born Dec. 5, 1864, at Leck Kill, in the 
section of Upper Mahanoy township where he still resides. He obtained 
his education in the local schools, and was reared to farm life, which 
he has continued to follow. After working for his father until he 
attained his majority, he has since become one of the best known 
hucksters in his section. He began raising track and general farm crops 
for himself in 1890, and now owns a forty-two-acre farm a quarter of a 
mile east of Leck Kill, which is under profitable cultivation.  He has a 
huckster route which covers his own and surrounding townships, and makes 
weekly trips to Shenandoah, Ashland and Girardville, disposing of 
produce and poultry. He has built up a steady custom, and by honorable 
dealing and reliable methods has gained and retained a large number of 
patrons who depend upon him for their supplies in his line.
	In 1890 Mr. Geist married Katie Geist, daughter of Daniel H. and 
Cecellia (Updegraff) Geist, of Upper Mahanoy township, and granddaughter 
of Andrew and Mary Magdalena (Hepler) Geist. They have had a family of 
seven children: Gertie S., who married Raymond Haas; Jennie C.; Walter 
W.; Maurice D.; Stella G.; Harry C., and John.  Mr. Geist and his family 
worship at St. John's Church, belonging to the Reformed congregation. He 
is a Democrat in political connection, and has served for a number of 
years as supervisor of Upper Mahanoy township, where he is a most 
respected citizen.

	EDWIN A. ADAM, who carries on a lumber business at Mount Carmel, 
Northumberland county, was born Nov. 10, 1851, in Hereford township, 
Berks Co., Pa., and is a member of one of the long established families 
of that region.
	Anthony Adam, a potter by trade, was born in the Fatherland in the 
year 1716, and emigrated to America in the year 1741.  He sailed from 
Rotterdam on the snow "Molly," commanded by Capt. John Cranch, which 
vessel arrived at Philadelphia, and the passengers, having taken the 
oath of allegiance to the English sovereign, were qualified to land Oct. 
26, 1741.  His age is entered on the passenger list as twenty-five years 
On Feb. 7, 1748, he received from the proprietaries of the Province of 
Pennsylvania a warrant for a tract of 136 acres, 146 perches, of land in 
Albany township, then a part of Philadelphia county. This land was 
surveyed for him by the surveyor general of the Province, June 6, 1752. 
Andoni Adam, as he wrote his name, received a warrant for a tract of 135 
acres and 47 perches "above Maxatawny," Feb. 7, 1748.  In 1761 he sold 
140 acres of his land in Albany township to John Reinhard. In 1766 he 
was administrator of the estate of Albrecht Stimmel, being the chief 
creditor. His administration account was audited and approved in 
December, 1768.  The date of death of Anthony Adam, of Albany, is not 
known. It is known that he had sons Abraham, Anthony and Bernhard, who 
settled in Schuylkill county and Peter.  The name of Simon Adam, great 
grandfather of Edwin A. Adam, does not appear among the known children 
of Anthony (2) or Peter, so it would appear the line in which we are 
interested would be traced through Abraham or Bernhard.
	Simon Adam was married Feb. 13, 1776, to Catharine Eck, who died 
April 27, 1828.  He died March 27, 1803. Their children were born as 
follows: John, Nov. 22, 1776; Anna, Sept. 30 1778 (married Andrew 
Schnabel); James, Feb. 6, 1781; Catharine, Jan. 4, 1783 (married David 
Schnabel); John James, Feb. 2, 1785; Sabina  (married George Dappen); 
Elizabeth, June 20, 1788; John, Sept. 6, 1792; Paul, Feb. 5, 1797
	John Adam, son of Simon, was a well known farmer in Hereford 
township, Berks county, where he passed all his life. He and his wife 
Catharine (Hammerstine), daughter of Andrew and Barbara Hammerstine, are 
buried at Bally.  Their children were: Jacob, Simon, John H. and 
Elizabeth.
	John H. Adam, son of John, was born April 27, 1814, and followed 
farming, owning the old homestead.  He died Feb. 10, 1883, upon his 
farm, and he and his wife are buried at Bally. Her maiden name was Mary 
M. Klehs (also spelled Klase), and she was born April 30, 1808, and died 
June 21, 1879.  They had five children: Elizabeth, born Dec. 15, 1840, 
died Oct. 15, 1877; John M. lives at Mahanoy City; Charles died in Berks 
county when twelve years old; Lucy A. died Jan. 24, 1906; Edwin A. is a 
resident of Mount Carmel. 
	
	END OF PAGE 839
	
	Edwin A. Adam was born Nov. 10, 1851, in Hereford township, Berks 
Co., Pa., and was there reared upon the homestead farm, following 
farming until he attained his majority. Meantime he received his 
education in the common schools of the locality.  Upon leaving home he 
located at Shamokin, Northumberland county, where he was in the employ 
of the late Darlington Kulp for a period of thirteen years, since when 
he has been engaged in the lumber business on his own account, at 
different places. He has lived at Mount Carmel since 1890, and for 
eleven years was a merchant in the borough. As a business man and 
citizen he occupies a substantial place in the community.
	Mr. Adam married Mary C. Crowl, daughter of Jackson Crowl, of 
Elysburg, Pa., and to them have been born nine children: Gordon T. (of 
Mount Carmel), Lillie E., Mary M., Wheeler E., Flora A., Harriet Rella, 
John J., Mark J. (who died when three years old) and Anna L.  Mr. Adam 
is a Catholic in religious faith.

	CHARLES A. KUNKEL, engaged in the hotel and livery business in 
Shamokin, is a young man whose enterprise and good management are 
bringing him success.  He was born in Shamokin Feb. 29, 1876, son of Leo 
Kunkel, a native of Germany, born in 1846, who came to America when a 
young man of twenty-two. He first located at Pittsburg, Pa., where he 
spent two years thence coming to Shamokin.  Here he followed mining 
until his death, in 1877, and is buried at Shamokin.  Mr. Kunkel married 
Rosa Gafinski, who is now living in Wisconsin, and the five children 
born to them were named as follows: Joseph (who is deceased), Charles 
A., Tillie, Mary and Polly.
	Charles A. Kunkel received his education in the public schools of 
Shamokin. When thirteen years old he became a slate picker at the mines, 
where he continued to work in various capacities until he reached the 
age of twenty-one years. At that time he engaged in the hotel business, 
but after conducting his place one year sold it and became bookkeeper 
for Squire Kreiger, with whom he continued for a period of three years. 
He then embarked in the wholesale liquor business on his own account 
being thus engaged for one and a half years, when he sold out to the 
Mount Carmel Brewing Company.  In 1906 he bought from Squire Kreiger the 
hotel stand where he has since done business. He enjoyed a large 
business from the time he took the management having twenty-four rooms, 
and his being the only hotel in that section of Shamokin he bad a 
thriving trade, which he succeeded in widening steadily by good business 
methods and satisfactory service. There was a fine hall on the top floor 
of the old building, which Mr. Kunkel rented for fairs, dances and 
various entertainments; it was headquarters for the Springfield Band.  
On Aug. 4, 1910, the hotel building was completely destroyed by fire, 
the loss being thirty thousand dollars.  With his customary enterprise 
Mr. Kunkel at once commenced rebuilding on the same site, his new hotel 
being thoroughly up-to-date and a credit to the community as well as to 
the owner.  Kunkel's hall, built on an adjoining lot, is 60 feet square. 
In connection with his hotel Mr. Kunkel has a livery business, keeping 
eight horses, for which there is constant demand.
	Mr. Kunkel is well known socially, holding membership in the 
Fraternal Order of Eagles, Red Men, East End and Friendship Hose 
Companies, several Polish societies, and St. Stanislaus church. He is a 
Democrat in political matters.
	On Nov. 26, 1892, Mr. Kunkel married Gertrude Green, daughter of 
William Green, of Mount Carmel, Pa.  They have four children, namely: 
Clement, Florence, Violet and Alma.

	BENJAMIN F. BASTIAN, of Sunbury, who carries on an up-to-date 
bakery on Eckman avenue, between Line and Race streets, was born July 
31, 1868, in Upper Augusta township, Northumberland county, son of 
Matthias D. Bastian. He is a member of the fourth generation in that 
township, being a great-grandson of George Michael Bastian, who founded 
the family there, and from whom we give the family record.
	George Michael Bastian was a native of Northampton county, Pa., 
born March 13, 1768, and died Feb. 18, 1845, in Upper Augusta township,  
Northumberland county, where he had followed farming, having a 200-acre 
tract known (and so called in the deed) as "White Lily Garden Farm." He 
and his wife died on that place, and they are buried in the old cemetery 
at Sunbury.  Her maiden name was Susanna Bollender, and she was born 
Oct. 7, 1770, in Greenwich township, Berks county.  Their children were 
as follows: Jesse lived in Sunbury; Peter died at Milton, Pa.; Daniel is 
mentioned below; George died in Sunbury; Catharine married John Renn and 
they lived in Sunbury; Christianna married Henry Conrad and they lived 
in Rockefeller township; Rachel married John Sinten and they lived at 
Alaska, this county; Elizabeth died unmarried, in Rockefeller; Lucy 
married Jeremiah Zimmerman and died in Shamokin, Pennsylvania.
	From public records in the courthouses at Sunbury and Lewisburg has 
been taken the following information, which is here given not only as 
being of interest in this connection, but also as it has considerable 
bearing upon the spelling of the name, which seems to have been written 
Bastian from the time the records begin, in 1791, with two exceptions.  
Both these times it was found written Bostion, but it must be noted that 
	
	END OF PAGE 840 
	
on one or these two occasions the signer made his mark.
	George Michael Bastian, Sr., came from Northampton county in the 
year 1791, and on June 16 1791, bought 500 acres of land from Richard 
Willings of Delaware county, Pa., about two miles below Sunbury, Pa on 
the west side of the Susquehanna river, and in the body of the deed the 
name is written George Michael Bastian.  On June 11, 1798, George 
Michael Bastian, Sr., sold to George Michael Bastian Jr., 176 acres of 
the above tract of 500 acres and in the body of this deed the name is 
written George Michael Bostion; the deed is also signed George Michael 
Bostion.
	On May 10, 1819, George Michael Bastian, Jr., sold the above 176 
acres to Lewis Dewart; he signed his name in German and it is written 
George Michael Bastian, and his wife Susanna Bastian signed by mark, her 
name being written the same way.  On the same day and year Lewis Dewart 
sold to George Michael Bastian 300 acres in Augusta township about three 
miles Southeast of Sunbury;  in the body of this deed the name is 
written Bastian. On May 15, 1841, George Michael Bastian, Jr. sold to 
Henry Gass 76 acres of land in Augusta township, and in the body of this 
deed the name is Bastian; it is also signed George Michael Bastian.  In 
the year 1844 George Michael Bastian, Jr., made his last will and 
testament and in the body of the will we find the name Bostion; it is 
signed Bostion but by mark.
	In the year 1845 George Michael Bastian, Jr., died, and on the 
tombstone is inscribed Bastian. His son George, one of his executors, 
and all papers signed in settling up the estate show the spelling 
Bastian.
	In the year 1791 George Michael Bastian, Sr., gave a mortgage to 
Richard Willing, and he signed himself George Michael Bastian. In the 
year 1809 (George Michael Bastian, Jr., gave a mortgage to Lewis Dewart 
and it is signed George Michael Bastian.
	One Daniel Bastian had a lawsuit in 1797.
	Daniel Bastian, son of George Michael, Sr., was born Aug. 8, 1806, 
in what is now Snyder county, Pa., and was a young man when he came 
across the river into Upper Augusta township.  There he married 
Elizabeth Drayer, daughter of Matthias Drayer and they were Lutheran 
members of the Lantz Church in what is now Rockefeller township, both 
being buried at that church.  Mrs. Bastian died Jan. 21, 1869, aged 
fifty-nine years, three month twenty-seven days.  Mr. Bastian died 
Dec. 29, 1879.  He was a potter, and followed his trade in Sunbury and 
Upper Augusta township for many years, in his later life also engaging 
to some extent in carpentering.  Mr. and Mrs. Bastian had a large 
family, as follows: Sarah died in childhood; Joseph was killed while 
serving in the Civil war (he was married); George, a carpenter, died 
Feb. 3, 1897, aged sixty years, five months, ten days; Matthias D. is 
mentioned below; Henry died in young manhood, in Rockefeller township; 
Polly married Jeremiah Cooper and they lived in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; 
Landis is a farmer in Upper Augusta; Daniel died Sept. 25, 1878, aged 
thirty-one years, two months, twelve days; Mary Ellen married Samuel Fry 
and died Aug. 5, 1829, aged fifty-six years, ten months, twelve days; 
Jeremiah, of Sunbury, is a painter; Anna married Henry Nase and they 
live in Chicago.
	Matthias D. Bastian, son of Daniel, was born Oct. 11, 1838, in 
Northumberland county, and was brought up on the farm in what is now 
Rockefeller township.  During the Civil war he enlisted in Company B, 
184th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving as a private one year and 
four days.  He was wounded in action in front of Petersburg and as a 
result had his right arm amputated while a prisoner at Libby, where he 
was confined for eighty-two days. After the war, however, he resumed 
farming, engaging in general agriculture and trucking until about 1893, 
when he retired and settled in Sunbury.  His home is at No. 803 Market 
street in that borough.  Mr. Bastian is a Republican in politics and has 
served as constable and as jury commissioner of Northumberland county.  
He is a member of Bruner Post No. 335, G.A.R., and of Lodge No. 203, 
I.O.O.F., both Sunbury organizations.
	On Aug. 19, 1862, Mr. Bastian married Lydia Poyer, daughter of 
Abitha and Rebecca (Mitchell) Poyer, of Sunbury, and twelve children 
have been born to their union: Charles E., Elizabeth (married to Abraham 
Roger), Maclay, Benjamin F., Daniel, William, Joseph, Cora, Alberta, 
Jennie, and two that died in infancy.  Mr. Bastian and his family are 
members of the Reformed Church. Mrs. Bastian died March 30, 1900.
	Benjamin F. Bastian was educated in the public schools in the 
neighborhood of his early home. He was reared to farming, and followed 
agricultural work until he reached the age of eighteen wears, when he 
learned the trade of baker.  In 1900 he came to Sunbury, embarking in 
business about that time, and he has built up an extensive trade, 
employing four men at present.  His specialties are bread and pastry.  
In 1910 Mr. Bastian erected the modern establishment he now occupies, a 
store 22 by 64 feet on Eckman avenue, equipped with the most modern 
facilities known to the trade.  His oven cost $1,500, and the rest of 
the place is in keeping.  Store and bakery are clean and sanitary, the 
entire place being a credit to the owner and to the community.
	On June 20, 1903, Mr. Bastion married Sue Broscious, daughter of 
Jared and Susan (Renn) Broscious, who died at Sunbury.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Bastion have a large and comfortable home of 
	
	END OF PAGE 841 
	
their own at No. 144 North Fifth street.  He is a member of the United 
Evangelical Church of Sunbury, and holds office at present.

	EZRA C. KELLER, proprietor of the "State Road Hotel" at Weigh 
Scales, in Ralpho township, has been there a comparatively brief time, 
but he has had considerable experience in the hotel business, and his 
establishment has shown great improvement under his management.  Mr. 
Keller was born Oct. 19, 1867, at Strausstown, Berks Co., Pa., son of 
George W. Keller and grandson of John O. Keller, and he comes of an old 
family of Berks county.
	The Keller family of Rockland is of German extraction, being 
descended from John Christophel (Christoffel) Keller, better known as 
"Steffel" Keller, who was born in Nitsche, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, 
son of Jacob Keller, a well known weaver who resided at that place.  
Jacob Keller was the father of six children, two of whom died in 
childhood.  Two sons, both named Johan Adam, were distinguished by being 
called "der grosse Johan" (Big John) and "der kleine Johan" (Little 
John).  John Christophel came next, and there was one daughter, 
Elizabeth Catharine. In 1764 John Christophel Keller, then seventeen 
years of age, came to America.  His father gave him considerable money 
in gold, which he sewed in a belt and carried on his body. He made the 
voyage on the "Brittania", Captain Arnot, from Rotterdam to 
Philadelphia, where young Keller landed September 26th.  From 
Philadelphia he walked to Rockland township, Berks county, where he 
found a home with the Reichert family, who were also from Nitsche, Mrs. 
Reichert having at one time worked for his father.  With them he 
followed his trade of weaver.  In 1765, at the age of eighteen, he 
married Catharine Delp, daughter of John Nicholas Delp, a large 
landholder of Rockland, and soon after his marriage secured a tract of 
land from his father-in-law. He began to clear this land, and it is said 
his wife assisted in the work.  This home remained in the connection for 
over one hundred years, and the old log house, built before 1770, is 
still standing and in good condition.  Stoffel Keller died there, in 
November, 1834, at which time he was living with his son-in-law, Squire 
Joseph Specht.  His property in Rockland comprised about forty acres. He 
was a man of great force of character and considerable intelligence, was 
a school teacher, and preserved his mental vigor to the last.  He served 
in the war of the Revolution.  His wife, Catharine, died over ten years 
before him.  Their children were as follows: (1) Maria, 1767-1850, 
married Michael Welder and had nine children. (2) Jacob married Betsy, 
daughter of John Specht, and they lived and died near Pricetown. They 
had children: John, who married Elizabeth Wahl; Catharine, wife of Henry 
Noll; Rebecca, Mrs. Buskirk; Lydia, Mrs. Wahl; and Daniel. (3) Catharine 
married Daniel Specht and (second) Peter Muthart, and had five children.  
(4) Conrad married Polly Neiman, whose first husband was killed by the 
Indians in 1781.  Their children were John, who married Esther Clouser; 
George, who married Lucy Bast; David, who married and lived in New York 
City; Charles, a prominent citizen of Berks county and later of 
Montgomery county (where he died March 7, 1897, aged eighty years), who 
married Harriet Moyer.  (5) Elisabeth married Henry Moyer and had seven 
children.  (6) Susan married Joseph Specht, Esq., and they had seven 
children.  She died in 1832 and he subsequently married a Muthart, by 
whom he had two sons. He died in 1854. (7) George married Kate Keller 
and they lived and died near Pricetown.  Their children were Abraham, 
Magdalena and Joseph.  (8) Magdalena married Henry Sterner and had six 
children. (9) Abraham married Magdalena Specht, daughter of John and 
sister of Squire Joseph Specht, and they had two children, both of whom 
married, and both moved to Wauseon, Ohio, where their descendants 
reside. (Benjamin who was married four times, last time to Mrs. Sarah 
DeLong, daughter of Squire Joseph Specht, was a son or a brother of 
Abraham.) (10) Samuel died unmarried at the age of twenty-six years.  
(11) John married Betsy Egolf. They had no children. (12) Mary (Peggy), 
1799-1879, married Jacob Sterner and had eight children.
	From this source came John O. Keller, grandfather of Ezra C. 
Keller.  He was born in Rockland township, Berks county, and followed 
farming at Pricetown, that county, where he died.  He and his wife Sarah 
had children: Jacob, John, Joel, Henry, Daniel, George W., Sarah, Mrs. 
Reinheimer, Mrs. David Welder and David.
	George W. Keller, son of John O. Keller, was a stationary engineer 
as well as farmer.  For eighteen wears he lived upon a farm near 
Fleetwood, Berks county.  He subsequently farmed at Shaefferstown and 
thence moved to Strausstown, Berks county, where he still makes his 
home.  He has continued to follow farming to the present.  He has been 
twice married, his first union being with Henrietta Sheaffer, daughter 
of Daniel Sheaffer, his second to Leanda Gerhert. His children, all by 
the first union, were: Mary, Oscar and Ezra C., the last named being the 
only survivor.
	Ezra C. Keller was reared upon the farm.  After spending four years 
at Akron, Lancaster Co., Pa., he returned home and went to school for a 
year.  He then located at Helfenstein, Schuylkill county, where he was 
engaged as a clerk for John Purcel & Co. two years, at the end of that 
time going to Shamokin, where he became a clerk for P. A. Haas.  He was 
thus employed for four 
	
	END OF PAGE 842
	
months, after which he took a position as clerk at the "Eagle Hotel," 
where he remained three years and seven months, having charge of the 
stables for two years. In 1896 he bought the "Eagle Hotel," which he 
conducted for two years, selling out to George Brewer.  For the next 
four and one half years he conducted the "Mansion House," and then for a 
similar period had the "Forks Hotel."  On Nov. 1, 1907, he bought his 
present place, the "State Road Hotel" at Weigh Scales, where he has made 
many friends during the short time he has been at that point.  Under his 
direction the establishment has been vastly improved, and travelers are 
given special attention. His hotel is a popular place for dinner and 
supper parties, and the patronage is steady.  Mr. Keller has won the 
respect of the community, where he is regarded as a most desirable 
citizen.  He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and of the 
Improved Order of Red Men, and is a Republican in political sentiment.
	Mr. Keller married Mary A. Gross, daughter of Eberhart and Lena 
(Hater) Gross, and they have three children: Viola H., Lena H. and 
Catharine I.  The family are Lutherans in religious connection.

	BROWN.  The Brown family has been identified with Upper Mahanoy 
township and that region of Northumberland county for over a century, 
having been founded there in the early days by Michael Brown, a native 
of Longswamp township, Berks Co., Pa., born Feb. 16, 1772.  Coming to 
this section he became a farmer in what is now Upper Mahanoy township, 
on the property now owned by John Fetter and Albert Gessner. He died May 
9, 1851, and his wife, whose maiden name was Cherry, was born March 30, 
1770, and died Feb. 18, 1844.  They were members of the Reformed 
congregation at the Himmel Church. They were married July 15, 1794, and 
nine children were born to this couple, as follows: Rebecca, March 10, 
1796; Magdelena, Jan. 19, 1798; Catherine, June 18, 1800; John, March 
11, 1803; Andraes, Aug. 16, 1805; Michael, July 13, 1807; George, April 
26, 1809 (died July 13, 1864; wife Lydia, born Jan. 20, 1818, died March 
27, 1892); Peter, Aug. 16, 1811 (died Sept. 12, 1878; wife Lydia, born 
Sept. 23, 1817, died March 27, 1887); Susanna, March 5, 1814.
	John Brown, son of Michael, born March 17, 1803, lived on the place 
now occupied by his son John F. Brown.  He was not only a farmer, but a 
carpenter and weaver as well, doing house and shop carpentry, making 
considerable furniture and in his earlier years many coffins, and he 
wove all sorts of woolen wear and carpets.  He was active in church life 
and held various church offices. His wife, Catharine (Fetter), daughter 
of Friedrick Fetter, was born Aug. 27, 1806, and died Jan. 3, 1871, and 
Mr. Brown passed away March 10, 1881. They are buried side by side at 
the Salem Church. Their children were as follows: Fromena, born in 
August 1829, married Elias Erdman and (second) Daniel Romberger; Lovina, 
born in 1881, married Jacob Paul; Jacob, born in 1888, died aged 
fourteen years; Hannah, born in 1886, died unmarried; Simon is mentioned 
below; a son born in 1841 died in infancy; Elias, born in 1843, died 
aged six years; John F. is mentioned below; Catharine, born in 1850 
married Monroe Shadel.
	Simon Brown, son of John, was born Aug. 31, 1838, on the farm of 
his father in Upper Mahanoy township, and was a lifelong farmer, an 
industrious, thrifty, successful man. His property adjoined the 
homestead to the south.  An active member of the Reformed congregation 
at the Salem Church, he served as deacon and elder, and he is buried at 
that church. His death occurred Jan. 17, 1902, when he was aged sixty-
three years, four months, seventeen days. Mr. Brown married Catharine 
Paul who was born Dec. 19, 1838, daughter of Abraham and Esther (Merkel) 
Paul, and died Aug. 2, 1906. They were the parents of nine children: 
John W., Hettie, Cassie, (married Elsworth Erdman), Adam H. (deceased), 
a son that died in infancy, Polly (deceased), Milton (deceased), Abraham 
and William.
	John W. Brown, son of Simon, is a farmer in Upper Mahanoy township, 
where he was born Oct. 2, 1870. He obtained his education in the home 
locality, attending the common schools, and was trained to farm work 
from boyhood, beginning farming on his own account at his present home 
in 1901.  This was once a Delp homestead, was later owned by Jacob Paul, 
and after him by Simon Brown, father of John W. Brown.  It consists of 
ninety-five acres located a quarter of a mile from the Schuylkill county 
line, and is well improved, though the house and barn are structures of 
long standing.  Mr. Brown has gained a position among the most honorable 
and trusted citizens of his locality, and he has been chosen to serve as 
auditor of his township.  In politics he is identified with the 
Democratic party.
	On Nov. 28, 1891, Mr. Brown married Harriet Rothermel, who was a 
daughter of Solomon and Fietta (Snyder) Rothermel, and she died April 9, 
1910, aged forty years, seven months, four days.  She was a highly 
respected woman, and her funeral was largely attended, many neighbors 
and friends showing their sympathy for the bereaved family.  To Mr. and 
Mrs. Brown were born children as follows: Clements, Maud, Minnie and 
Beulah (who died in 1908, aged six months). Mr. Brown and his family are 
Reformed members of the Salem Church, and he has served as deacon of his 
congregation.
	JOHN F. Brown, son of John and Catharine (Fetter) Brown, is a well 
known farmer citizen 
	
	END OF PAGE 843
	
of Upper Mahanoy township, where he was born Dec. 13, 1845.  He has 
passed all his life on his father's homestead, working for his father 
until past his majority.  After his father's death the property, 
consisting of sixty-five acres, came into his possession.  One part of 
the house is very old, having been built probably more than a hundred 
years ago, and the rest of the buildings on the place were erected by 
John Brown, father of the present owner.  Mr. Brown has been 
particularly interested in public school matters in his township, and 
his services on the school board cover almost twenty years; he is still 
a member of that body.  Politically he is a Democrat.
	In May, 1873, Mr. Brown married Elmira Dietz, daughter of Jonas 
Dietz, whose father, Michael Dietz (1806-1882), came to this section 
from Berks county. She died in August, 1874, at the early age of twenty-
two years, the mother of one son, William Franklin, who now lives near 
Uniontown, Pa.  Mrs. Brown was a member of the Reformed congregation at 
the Salem Church. On Oct. 17, 1875, Mr. Brown married (second) Emma 
Elizabeth Kiehl, daughter of George and Mary (Stahr) Kiehl, of Upper 
Mahanoy township, but now of Ashland, Pa., and by this union there have 
been twelve children: Jane E., married to Wilson Reitz; Charles V., who 
married Sarah Mattern; John Preston, who married Sallie Trautman; Katie 
S., who died aged seventeen years, seven months, eighteen days; Sadie 
F., married to Charles Wiest; Farietta; Froene Mabel, married to J. 
Allen Reed; Samuel W.; one daughter that died in infancy; Clarence O.; 
Lulu May, and Rosa Alverta. Mr. and Mrs. Brown and their family belong 
to the Reformed congregation of the Salem Union Church, at Rough and 
Ready, to which his parents also belonged.  He has been an active member 
for many years, having served as deacon, for many years as trustee, and 
since 1903 as elder.

	JOHN W. HECK, merchant and justice of the peace at Marion Heights, 
this county, which forms part of the borough of Keiser, has been one of 
the leading and most active citizens of that borough since its 
organization, and his influence has been felt in many of the most 
progressive movements in this section.  He has been in business there in 
various lines ever since he settled in the place, and has held a number 
of the local offices, giving the same intelligent service in public 
affairs as he does in the conduct of his private interests.
	Mr. Heck is of German descent, his grandfather, Samuel Heck, having 
come from his native Germany when a young man and settled in Maryland, 
in which State he passed the remainder of his life. He followed the 
milling business.
	John W. Heck, son of Samuel, was born in Maryland, and coming to 
Pennsylvania located at Mount Pleasant, Schuylkill county, where he 
owned the hotel for a number of years.  He sold out the business about 
two years before his death, and thereafter followed butchering. He died 
suddenly, at the age of forty-three years.  To him and his wife Rebecca 
(Hartlein) were born seven sons, only two of whom survive: Francis (who 
is in the wholesale flour business at Shamokin, Pa.) and John W.
	John W. Heck, son of John W. and Rebecca (Hartlein) Heck, was born 
in 1859 at Mount Pleasant, Schuylkill Co., Pa.  He was brought to 
Northumberland county when six years old, and grew up in Shamokin 
township, where he attended the public schools until he reached the age 
of fourteen years.  He then went to the Freeburg Academy, in Snyder 
county, for three terms, after which he began work.  Locating at Reed's 
station he was employed in the manufacture of smoking tobacco for some 
time, and then located at Paxinos, where he followed the butcher 
business for three years.  For the next two and a half years he was with 
the Reading Company, after which he taught school at Paxinos for two 
terms. Then for three years he was superintendent of the Paxinos store, 
for Mrs. Littlehail, spending the next three years with George W. 
Mifflin, whom he bought out. He continued in the business as proprietor 
for two and a half years, when he sold out, in 1897 making a trip to 
Alaska, prospecting.  He was eleven months and fourteen days on this 
interesting journey.  Upon his return he located at Freeburg for a year 
and a half, removing thence to Ashland, Schuylkill county, where he 
became manager of the "Ashland Hotel." While there he was granted a 
license, in 1899, at Marion Heights, being the first in the place to 
obtain a license as hotel-keeper, but he continued for a time at 
Ashland, being there from 1898 to November, 1899.  He has since been a 
resident of Marion Heights. In 1901 he built a fine three-storied hotel 
in the eastern part of the town and conducted same until May, 1902, at 
which time he sold to Lewis Zuschin.  He has since been engaged in the 
mercantile business, carrying a large general stock, besides flour and 
feed, and in 1904 built the fine store and dwelling, 36 by 48 feet in 
dimensions, which he has since occupied.
	There has been no more public-spirited citizen in Keiser than Mr. 
Heck.  He was the leader in the movement which resulted in the formation 
of the borough of Keiser, in 1905, and in February, 1906, he was elected 
the first justice of the peace, which office he is still filling.  The 
first chief burgess was Joseph Lucas.  Mr. Heck has also served as clerk 
of the council and as secretary of the school board.  He is a Democrat 
in political conviction, and though the borough could boast but eleven 
Democrats in the fall of 1907, at a normal election, there were seventy-
six votes cast for a 
	
	END OF PAGE 844 
	
Democrat who was a good local man, the influence of citizens like Mr. 
Heck being apparent on such occasions. He was formerly a member of the 
I.O.O.F., the K.G.E. and the P.O.S. of A. 
	In 1879 Mr. Heck married Clara Menges, daughter of George W. 
Menges, of Freeburg, Pa., and to them have been born seven children, 
four of whom survive: George, Leroy (married to Rebecca Hoover, and 
living in Philadelphia), Mary E. and Maude F.  The family are Lutherans 
in religious connection.

	JOHN J. CAMPTON, funeral director and embalmer, of Shamokin, has 
been engaged in that line of business in the borough for a period of 
thirty years, since 1880. He is located at No. 410 Webster street, and 
has facilities for the convenient handling of the excellent trade he has 
established.
	Mr. Campton was born in 1852 in Trevorton, Northumberland county, 
son of James and Annie (Buggey) Campton, natives of Ireland.  The father 
came to this country from County Tipperary when a young man, with his 
wife and small family, and they made their first settlement in 
Schuylkill county, later moving to Trevorton, where Mr. Campton followed 
mining.  He was killed while at work in the mines, in 1852, at 
Donaldson; he is buried at Minersville, Schuylkill county.  Mrs. Campton 
died at Shamokin. They had a large family, namely: Mary A., Joanna, 
Ellen, Margaret, Catherine, Sarah, Elizabeth and John J.
	John J. Campton began attending school at Trevorton.  He was eight 
years old when he came to Shamokin, where he has since lived, and on 
commencing work learned the cabinetmaker's trade, at which he was 
engaged until he went into the undertaking business, in 1880.  He is 
well fitted for his business, both by training and by experience, and 
has his full share of the local patronage.
	Mr. Campton married Minie L. Cobb, daughter of Gaurdner Cobb, late 
of Shamokin, and they have had children as follows: Normand, born Nov. 
22, 1883, who died when four years old; James, born Jan. 6, 1885, who 
died when fourteen months old, Gilbert, born April 2, 1886; Eva, born 
Aug. 28, 1887; John born Nov. 2, 1888; Gordner, born Feb. 7, 1890, who 
died in infancy; Arthur, born Aug. 8, 1891; Edward, born Feb. 28, 1893; 
George, born March 2, 1894, who died when fourteen months old: Joseph, 
born April 21, 1895, who died when fourteen months old; William, born 
April 13, 1896, who died when ten months old; Harry, born April 2, 1897; 
Anna, born Nov. 5, 189-; Margaret, born Nov. 4, 1901; Laura, born July 
3, 1902; Charles, born April 22, 1906; and two sons that died in infancy 
unnamed.
	Mr. Campton is a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church of 
Shamokin, and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

	WILLIAM S. KAHLER, who has been a farmer in Upper Mahanoy township 
since 1876, belongs to a family which has been located in Juniata 
county, Pa., since his grandfather, Philip Kahler, came to this country 
from Germany, about 1852.  He landed at Castle Garden, New York, and 
thence proceeded at once to Juniata county, settling in the woods in a 
region then sparsely populated and unimproved.  He had to clear the land 
before he could commence its cultivation, erected the first buildings on 
the tract, and was a pioneer in every sense of the word.  He took up 250 
acres, but sold some of it and became a prosperous farmer, his industry 
and well directed energy bringing him a good living.  He and his wife 
were buried at Leininger's Church in the locality where they settled.  
In religion he was a Lutheran.  Mr. and Mrs. Philip Kahler had children 
as follows: Margaretha married Henry Ford; Barbara married Barney Fogel, 
who was of German extraction; William and George both became farmers in 
Greenwood township, Juniata county, where the daughters also lived, 
their husbands being farmers there.
	George Kahler, son of Philip, was a native of Germany, and was 
about fourteen years old when he came with his parents to this country.  
He passed the rest of his life in Greenwood township, Juniata Co., Pa., 
dying there in October, 1890, at the age of sixty-two years.  He owned a 
farm of 130 acres, and was an enterprising agriculturist, becoming one 
of the most successful farmers of his neighborhood. He was a Democrat, 
and served his township many years in the office of supervisor.  He and 
his family were of the Lutheran faith, and were members of Leininger's 
Church, where he is buried.  To his first marriage, with Amelia Snyder, 
daughter of Jonas Snyder, were born the following children: Catharine 
married William Feltman; Louisa married Amos Howerter; Philip died in 
infancy; William S. is mentioned below; Susanna married Jacob 
Mitterling.  For his second wife Mr. Kahler married Lydia Hallman, and 
they had two children: Edward, now a resident of Schuylkill county, Pa.; 
and George H., of Jackson township, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania.
	William S. Kahler was born Aug. 9, 1856, in Greenwood township, 
Juniata Co., Pa., and began his education in the subscription schools of 
the home district, later attending the public schools.  In his twenty-
third year he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade which he followed 
for nine years.  Meantime, in the fall of 1876, he had come to Upper 
Mahanoy township, Northumberland county, and at once located on the farm 
which has since been his home. After giving most 
	
	END OF PAGE 845
	
of his attention to farming for several years he purchased a steam 
threshing outfit, the second to be put into operation in the locality, 
and for nineteen years did threshing.  He has also sawed considerable 
timber, and since 1894 has operated a cider press, making large 
quantities of cider. Besides his home farm, he owns a place of forty-
seven acres lying along the road between Leck Kill and Line Mountain, 
formerly the Elias Howerter homestead.  Mr. Kahler is regarded by all 
his associates as a man of ability and intelligence, as is shown by the 
fact that he has been honored with official recognition in the various 
phases of the life of the community with which he has been identified. 
He is a Democrat in politics, has been school director of the township 
and is at present supervisor; has been deacon of St. James (Howerters) 
Church, where he and his family worship; and is a past grand of Eureka 
Lodge, No. 260, I.O.O.F., of Leck Kill, in which he has passed all the 
chairs.
	In 1880 Mr. Kahler warned Mary Howerter, only daughter of Elias and 
Caroline (Leffler) Howerter, and they are the parents of two children: 
Katie married Francis M. Paul, of Shamokin, Pa., and has one child, 
Verna; Francis H., who is an engineer, married Eliza Paul, daughter of 
William Paul, and they have one son, Clarence W.

	HOWERTER.  Adam Howerter, the  first known ancestor of a family 
numerously represented in Berks and Northumberland counties, Pa., was 
born Sept. 2, 1742, and died in what is now Upper Mahanoy township, 
Northumberland Co., Pa., near Howerters Church, Dec. 6, 1819.  The 
inscription on his tombstone says "born in Chester county," but family 
tradition has it that he was one of the Hessian soldiers brought here by 
the English government during the Revolutionary war, after which he 
settled in Chester county, Pa. About 1786 he located in Longswamp 
township, Berks county, where in 1790 the Federal Census Report records 
him as the head of a family of three sons and four daughters.  The 
eldest son, Henry, was already married in that year, but at that time 
had no children. He is said to have remained in Berks county, but Adam 
and his other children, sons Johan Adam and Johan Peter and four 
daughters, came to the Mahantango Valley, settling in that district now 
embraced in Upper Mahanoy township, where the father took up a large 
tract of land, some of which he cleared, erecting the first set of 
buildings thereon.  He and his wife Catharine, who according to the 
tombstone inscription was born in Europe Dec. 28, 1748, and died April 
23, 1819, are buried at Howerters Church. They were Lutherans in 
religion, as are their descendants.  Three of their daughters married 
brothers named Wary, another was married to a Spiece, and another to a 
DeTurk. One of the Warys is buried at Mahanoy, one at Herb's Church.  
The tradition that the emigrant ancestor was a Hessian soldier may be 
correct as no Howerter appears among the immigrants to this country 
recorded in the Pennsylvania Archives.
	Johan Adam Howerter, one of the sons of Adam Howerter who 
accompanied him to Northumberland county, was born Aug. 24, 1769, and 
died Feb. 14, 1847. His wife, Catharine (Diehl), born Nov. 29, 1772, 
died May 18, 1851. They had no children.  They are buried at Howerters 
Church.
	Johan Peter Howerter, the other son of Adam Howerter who came with 
his father to Northumberland county, was born Nov. 4, 1772, and owned a 
180-acre farm near Howerters Church, in Upper Mahanoy township, where he 
died May 6, 1862.  This place is now owned by George Paul. He was one of 
the prominent members of Howerters Church, in which he held various 
official positions, and he was one of the building masters when the 
first church was erected.  That edifice stood until replaced by the 
present building, in 1893, which his grandson, Amos Howerter, helped to 
build.  His family are also buried there.  He married Elizabeth Diehl, 
who was born Aug. 27, 1778, daughter of Johannes Diehl, and sister of 
his brother's wife Catharine.  Mrs. Howerter died July 6, 1860, the 
mother of children as follows: Solomon; Peter; Daniel; Abraham; 
Elizabeth, Mrs. Peter Zerfink; Catharine, Mrs. Peter Stoudt; and Polly, 
Mrs. Daniel Bloom.
	 Solomon Howerter, son of Johan Peter Howerter, was born on the 
homestead Feb. 1, 1805, and was a lifelong farmer in Upper Mahanoy 
township, living on a 120-acre farm on the south side of Line Mountain, 
not far from Howerters Church. It was located on the road crossing Line 
Mountain to Shamokin.  There he died June 25, 1878, and his wife, Mary 
(Hepler), born Feb. 7, 1808, died June 14, 1876.  They are buried at 
Howerters Church. They were the parents of ten children: Elias, who died 
June 30, 1907, aged seventy-nine years, three months, six days, lived in 
Upper Mahanoy, and his only child was Mary, now the wife of William S. 
Kahler, of that township; Catharine married Godfried  Schreffler; 
Benneville lives in Juniata county, Pa.; Charles is a resident of 
Crawford county, Ill.; Jared lives in Shamokin, Pa.; Judith married 
Jacob Conrad, and they live in Shamokin; Luzena and Augustus died young; 
Amos is mentioned below; Aaron (deceased) lived in Girardville, 
Pennsylvania.
	Amos Howerter, son of Solomon, was born Oct. 2, 1844, in Upper 
Mahanoy township, and was there reared. When twenty-one he began to 
learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for sixteen years in 
Upper Mahanoy and at the coal min-
	
	END OF PAGE 846 
	
ing towns, building a number of houses and barns and doing work at the 
breakers; he employed as many as four men.  In the spring of 1879 he 
began farming at his present place in Upper Mahanoy, having a sixty-
eight-acre farm on the road leading across Line Mountain to Shamokin, 
besides which he owns twenty-five acres of mountain land.  He built the 
house on his home property several years before he began farming there, 
and all the buildings are of his construction and the first to be built 
upon that land. He put up the others when he settled down to farming 
there. Mr. Howerter has been a useful citizen, has served his township 
three years as school director, and has been an active member of the 
Lutheran congregation of Howerters Union Church, to which his family 
also belong.  He has served as deacon and trustee, is at present an 
elder, and was building master when the present church edifice was 
erected. In politics he is a Democrat.
	On Jan. 29, 1874, Mr. Howerter married Louisa Kahler, daughter of 
George Kahler, who lived in Juniata county, Pa., and they have had 
children as follows: William I., who lives on a tract of fifty-four 
acres formerly owned by his ancestor's brother, Johan Adam Howerter, the 
latter's property, however, being much larger in extent; George Monroe; 
Catherine N., who married Wilson Wagner and lives in Shamokin; Emma L.; 
Mary E.; Edward A.; Amelia M., and Freeman Amos.
	George Monroe Howerter, son of Amos, was born Jan. 14, 1878, on his 
father's farm and obtained his education in the common schools of the 
locality.  He worked for his father until he was past twenty-one, and in 
the fall of 1905 began farming on his present place, which contains 
thirty-eight acres, near the Schuylkill county line, upon which he has 
made a number of improvements since it came into his possession, 
including the summer house which he built in 1909. This property was 
first owned by George Geist, later by Daniel Geist, who built the 
dwelling, then by William Geist, who built the barn in 1879, and 
subsequently by Daniel Klock, whom Mr. Howerter succeeded.  Mr. Howerter 
sells his produce in Shamokin, and he is a good business man as well as 
a thrifty farmer.
	On May 81, 1902, he married Amanda Rebuck, daughter of John and 
Sarah (Rebuck) Rebuck, and granddaughter of Elias and Mary (Reitz) 
Rebuck and of (maternally) Conrad and Lucy (Shott) Rebuck.  Three 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Howerter: Mary Florence, George 
William and Emma Sylvia.  Mr. and Mrs. Howerter are Lutheran members of 
St. Jacob's (Howerters) Church in Upper Mahanoy township.  Politically 
he is a Democrat.

	ADAMS OR ADAM. There are numerous representatives of the Adam or 
Adams family in Northumberland county.  Its history in America goes back 
to the first half of the eighteenth century, when Anthony Adam, a potter 
by trade, emigrated to these shores.  He sailed from Rotterdam on the 
snow "Molly," commanded by Capt. John Cranch, which vessel arrived at 
Philadelphia, and the passengers, having taken the oath of allegiance to 
the English sovereign, were qualified to land Oct. 26, 1741. Anthony 
Adam's age is entered on the passenger list as twenty-five years, and 
one account says he was born in the Fatherland, another that he was a 
French Huguenot. On Feb. 7, 1748, he received from the proprietaries of 
the Province of Pennsylvania a warrant for a tract of 136 acres, 146 
perches of land in Albany township, then a part of Philadelphia county. 
This land was surveyed for him by the surveyor general of the Province, 
June 6, 1752.  It is probable that be settled in Albany township 
immediately after his arrival in the New World, as he was a settler 
there in 1752, and he witnessed and participated in the trying times of 
the French and Indian wars. His farm is now in the possession of Nathan 
Weisner, of Round Top, Albany township, Berks county.  On Feb. 7, 1748, 
he also received a warrant for a tract of 135 acres, 47 perches "above 
Maxatawny," and in 1761 he sold 140 acres of his land in Albany township 
to John Reinhard.  He was administrator of the estate of Albrecht 
Stimmel, of Albany township, in 1766, being the chief creditor. His 
administration account was audited and approved in December, 1768.  The 
date of death of Anthony (or Andoni, as he wrote his name) Adam, of 
Albany township, is not known.  Neither do we know the name of his wife, 
but it is known that he had sons Abraham, Anthony and Bernhard, who 
moved to Schuylkill county, Pa.; and Peter.
	Bernhard Adam, son of Andoni, was a pioneer in Northumberland 
county, settling in Washington township on the farm now owned by a 
descendant, Adam Cornelius Adams, and tenanted by the latter's son, 
Clements I. Adams. It has been in the family for five generations. 
Bernhard Adam followed farming.  He and his wife clung to the 
Reformed faith, and they are buried at the Himmel Church.  They had 
eight children: John, who had sons Gabriel and Abraham; Nicholas, who 
lived at Springville, in Schuylkill county (his wifes maiden name was 
Hoffa); Catharine; Absalom, who had sons Nicholas and Abraham, the 
latter of whom lived at Hoofland, in Jordan township: Bernhard, the next 
in the line we are tracing; Charles, who married and had children; and 
two whose names are not known. 
	
	END OF PAGE 847 
	
	Bernhard Adam, son of Bernhard, was born May 14, 1793, in Berks 
county, Pa., and coming to what is now Washington township, 
Northumberland county, married Salome Ferster (or Furster), who was born 
June 3, 1796, and died Nov. 19, 1846.  He died Aug. 25, 1864, and they 
are buried at the Himmel Church, where they worshipped, being members of 
the Reformed congregation. Bernhard Adam served that, church officially 
many years, as deacon, elder and trustee. He was a farmer by occupation, 
owning the homestead of his father, a tract of 139 acres, now owned by 
Adam Cornelius Adams.  On that property he built a barn which was 
destroyed by lightning in the nineties.  He took great delight in 
hunting, and shot a deer in the district where many of his descendants 
now live.  A bear was also one of his hunting trophies, and he bore an 
excellent reputation as a marksman.
	The following children were born to Bernhard and Salome Adam: Polly 
married Jonathan Heim and they went West; Isaac never married; a 
daughter who married Daniel Klock went West, settling in Illinois; Sarah 
married John Held and moved out to Illinois; Bernhard is mentioned 
later; Lena married James Troutman; David, born April 1, 1837, died in 
Washington township July 16, 1882, and is buried at Himmel's Church, as 
is also his wife, Harriet Byerly, born July 19, 1844, died Oct. 20, 
1890; Hannah married Philip Graser and moved West.
	Bernhard Adam, son of Bernhard and Salome Adam, was the third of 
the name to own the homestead farm.  He was born Nov. 5, 1827, in 
Washington (then Jackson) township, and died on his home farm in that 
township, Oct. 17, 1905.  A lifelong farmer, he prospered in his work to 
the extent that he acquired three farms, the one of 150 acres on which 
he lived, another of 120 acres and a third of 148 acres.  He was an 
active member of the Reformed congregation at Himmel's Church, attending 
services regularly and holding all the church offices. His wife, Matilda 
(Zerfing), daughter of Jacob Zerfing (whose wife was a Klock), was born 
March 25, 1832, and died Sept. 3, 1899.  They were the parents of 
sixteen children, namely: Sallie married Erisman Adam; Andrew is 
mentioned below; James Washington, born in 1853, died in 1891, 
unmarried; Clinton died young; Mary married John Tyson and they live at 
Shamokin, this county; Lafayette married Catharine Starr; Joseph 
died small; Adam Cornelius is mentioned below; Turrell died when young; 
Monroe married Emma Fegley; Cassie, twin of Monroe, married Henry 
Crissinger, and is deceased; Samuel lives in Dauphin county; Jemima died 
young; Richard lives at Gratztown, Pa.; Miranda married Francis 
Schlegel; Jacob died out West.
	ANDREW ADAMS, son of Bernard and Matilda,  is a  well-to-do  farmer  
of  Washington township, where he was born July 28, 1852.  He attended 
subscription school near his home until the establishment of the public 
schools, in which he was a pupil for about eight winters.  Reared to 
farm life, he worked for his parents until he became of age and about 
1877 began farming at his present home, having a ninety-acre tract about 
two miles south of Rebuck. It was formerly a Schreffler farm, and 
earlier belonged to the Beissels, and the barn, which is very old, was 
built by a Beissel. There is a stone house on this farm now considerably 
over one hundred years old, being in fact the oldest landmark in this 
section.  The wall is very substantial, and it is built over a good 
spring. The large frame house now used as a dwelling was erected by Mr. 
Adam about 1885.  He has been a thrifty farmer and has done well, and he 
bears a high reputation among his neighbors and friends.  He is an 
active church worker, he and his family belonging to the Reformed 
congregation at the Himmel Church which he is at present serving as 
elder; he formerly held the office of deacon.  Mr. Adams is a Republican 
in politics.
	Mr. Adams was first married to Polly Brosius, who was born Jan. 20, 
1851, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Wenrich) Brosius, and died April 17, 
1888; she is buried at Himmel's Church. Of the children born to this 
union, Jemima died when eight months old; Eva married Daniel Price;  and 
several died  in infancy.  For his second wife Mr. Adams married Mrs. 
Mary (Trautman) Hoffman, widow of George Hoffman, and they have had one 
son, Leon Thomas, of Washington township, who married Sallie 
Schraeder and has one son, Daniel R.
	ADAM CORNELIUS ADAMS, son of Bernhard and Matilda, also a 
substantial farmer of Washington township, was born Aug. 10, 1863, on 
the old homestead of the Adams family.  He obtained his education in the 
township schools, was reared to farm life, and assisted his father in 
horse dealing, butchering and huckstering in his earlier manhood. In the 
spring of 1888 he began farming for himself at the place where he now 
lives, a farm of 108 acres which formerly belonged to the Reitzes, first 
to Philip Reitz and later to his son Andrew Reitz. It is on the road 
between Rebuck and Greenbrier. Mr. Adams remodeled the house and 
enlarged it and in 1908 he built an addition to the large barn erected 
by Philip Reitz, who also built the house. Mr. Adams also owns forty 
acres of woodland, and his father's old homestead of about 138 acres, 
which adjoins his own home farm, and which is one of the most valuable 
tracts in the township.  His son Clements now cultivates it.  Mr. Adams 
is a Republican in 
	
	END OF PAGE 848
	
politics, and he has held the position of supervisor of the township for 
some time, still serving in that capacity. He and his family are 
Reformed members of Himmel's Church, which he served as deacon and elder 
for a number of years.
	On July 1, 1887, Mr. Adams married Mary Crissinger, daughter of 
William and Susanna (Rebuck) Crissinger, of Washington township, and 
they have had four children: Clements I., George C., Eugene F., and 
Mamie S. Clements I. Adams, who farms the old Adams homestead, married 
Annie Adams, of Shamokin, a very distant relative, and they have one 
son, Sydney.

	Nicholas Adam, the ancestor of a large number of this name, was a 
native of Berks county, born July 5, 1758, and coming to Northumberland 
settled in the Swabian Creek district in what is now known as Washington 
township. He was a farmer, owning the farm which later became the 
property of Isaac Tryon, a large tract and he also owned what are now 
the farms of Nathan Adams, Mrs. James Troutman, Cornelius Adams and 
Galen Stepp, besides land along the Deep creek.  In fact he was one of 
the most extensive landowners in his section.  He died April 11, 1826, 
and is buried at Himmel's Church or in a private burial ground.  His 
death was caused by consumption. His sons were: John, who left children 
Gabriel and Nathaniel; Gideon, mentioned below; Absalom; Nicholas, who 
left children, Abraham, Nicholas, Adam, and daughters; Adam, who died 
unmarried; Bernhard, and several daughters.
	Gideon Adams, son of Nicholas, was born in the Swabian Creek 
district, was a plasterer, and followed his trade in addition to 
farming, having a tract of 120 acres located along the Middle creek in 
Washington township.  He was active in the interests of the locality, 
was a member of the Republican party, served as supervisor, and belonged 
to Himmel's Church, in which he held office.  His wife was a daughter of 
Solomon Campbell, and they had the following children: Elizabeth married 
Henry Welker; Julian married Jacob Welker, (brother of Henry); Polly 
died unmarried; Jeremiah is mentioned below; Molly married Benjamin 
Daniel.
	Jeremiah Adams, son of Gideon, is buried at Himmel's Church, of 
which he was a Reformed member.  He was the owner of the homestead farm, 
now the property of Helena Troutman. To him and his wife Hannah 
(Wentzel), daughter of Abraham Wentzel, were born the following 
children:  Timothy married Louisa Kutz; Lucetta married Andrew Paul and 
(second) Andrew Brosius; Priscilla married Allen Wiest; Louisa married 
Tobias Strohecker; Elizabeth died young; Erisman married Sallie Adam; 
Jeremiah married Susan Wolfgang; James E. married Sarah J. Haag; Emanuel 
is mentioned below; Andrew M. married Ellen Brosius.
	EMANUEL ADAM, a prosperous farmer living along the Mahantango creek 
in Lower Mahanoy township, was born July 28, 1857, in Washington 
township. He has followed farming all his life, and in 1877 began his 
independent career as a tenant in Washington township, continuing thus 
about two years. The second year at that place he also engaged in the 
lumber business, which he followed for two years, and then for two years 
carried on farming in Lower Mahanoy township. At the end of that time he 
bought a farm of ninety-two acres, the homestead of Christopher Colpha 
(a native of Berks county). In 1906 he purchased the place in Lower 
Mahanoy where he at present resides, a tract of 163 acres which formerly 
belonged to Emanuel and Peggy Heckert.  Mr. Adam is an energetic man, 
and he has made many improvements in the property since he took 
possession, notably the new house which he built in 1909. He is a good 
manager and has his land under profitable cultivation, adopting new 
methods where practicable and showing thrift and good judgment in all 
his undertakings.
	In 1880 Mr. Adam married Catharine E. Clark, of Jordan township, 
daughter of Ed. Clark, who gave his life to his country during the Civil 
war; Mrs. Adam never saw her father. Mr. and Mrs. Adam have had a large 
family, viz.: Clara (married Charles Boyer), Charles (deceased), Oscar 
(married Dora Deibler), James, John, Elmer, Milton, Roy, Sadie; Harry, 
Mark, and Raymond. Mr. Adam and his family are members of the Trinity 
Church of the Evangelical Association, and he has been quite active in 
its work, having served as exhorter, class leader and trustee. 
Politically he is a Republican.

	Absalom Adam, grandfather of Tobias and Nathan Adams, farmers of 
Washington township, was evidently a son of Nicholas, above, and lived 
to an advanced age, dying about 1849. He was a farmer owning property 
which is still in the family name, the farm now owned by his grandson, 
Nathan Adams. He was a pioneer in Washington township, where he came to 
live when the land was nearly all covered with timber, settling in the 
hills because he thought good hay could be grown in the valleys. The 
house in which he lived, near the mountain, stood for many years, being 
torn down by Nathan Adams in 1908. Mr. Adam and his family are buried at 
the Himmel Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Wentzel or Wetzel, 
died before him, being stricken with paralysis while engaged in 
sweeping.  She was advanced in years at the time.  Ten children were 
born to this couple: Leah, married Mr. Williams; Eliza married James 
Anders, of Miners-
	
	END OF PAGE 849
	
ville; Rebecca married Abraham Bressler; Sallie married Peter Howerter; 
Jestina married Peter Baer; Hannah married Henry Schroeder; Gideon lived 
in the Mahantango Valley, but died in Shamokin when over eighty years 
old; Nicholas is mentioned below; Adam lived for many years in Shamokin, 
where he died when nearly seventy; John, who had lived in Illinois, died 
on the field of battle during the Civil war.
	Nicholas Adam, son of Absalom, was born in Washington township on 
the farm now occupied by his son Nathan, owned that property, and was a 
lifelong farmer, though he learned the trade of stonemason and followed 
it to some extent in his earlier manhood.  He died March 4, 1889, aged 
sixty-eight years, five months, twenty-six days, and he and his wife are 
buried at the Himmel Church, of which they were Reformed members. He 
served his congregation as deacon, elder and trustee.  In politics he 
was a Republican.  His wife, Elizabeth (Schreffler), died Sept. 30, 
1900, aged eighty-one years, five months, twenty-nine days.  They had 
children as follows: William, Tobias, Sarah (who died young), John, 
Nathan, and Aaron (deceased).
	TOBIAS ADAMS, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Schreffler) Adams, was 
born May 20, 1850, on the old homestead.  He attended school until he 
was sixteen years old, studying at the subscription schools then 
conducted in the neighborhood, and the instruction was entirely in the 
German language. Working for his parents until about the time he 
attained his majority, he afterward worked for other farmers for three 
and a half years.  He owns a thirty-five-acre farm one mile east of 
Rebuck, in Washington township, which was formerly an Eyster homestead 
and later the property of Rev. Augustus Bergner, Mr. Adams's father-in-
law.  On Jan. 26, 1873, Mr. Adams married Odelia Bergner, daughter of 
Rev. Augustus  and  Augusta (Feltdrop) Bergner, natives of the vine 
region of the Fatherland; their eldest child was born before they came 
to America, the others in this country, their family consisting of six 
children, Louisa, Francis, Hetrich, Amelia, Luther and Odelia.  Rev. Mr. 
Bergner was a Lutheran minister, and preached at Mahanoy and in all the 
other Lutheran churches in that section. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born 
seven children: Francis; Flora and Rosa, twins, the former the wife of 
Rufus Schwalm, the latter the wife of Robert Schmeltz; Henry, who died 
when five years old; Katie and Amelia, twins, the latter married to 
William Griffith; and Monroe.  The mother died Dec. 5, 1906, aged fifty-
eight years, five months, twenty-three days, and is buried at the Himmel 
Church. Mr. Adams and his family worship with the Reformed congregation 
at Himmel's Church, where he is now serving his second term as elder. He 
was a deacon for some years.
	NATHAN ADAMS, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Schreffler) Adams, was 
born Feb. 2, 1858. He obtained his education in the local subscription 
and common schools, and was reared to farm life, working for his parents 
until he became of age.  Since 1890 he has farmed his present property, 
the old home place, having one hundred acres, sixty under cultivation. 
This property lies along the Middle creek.  Mr. Adams sells his produce 
at Ashland, running a huckster route to that point where he makes weekly 
trips. Politically he is a Republican, and he and his family worship 
with the Reformed congregation at Himmel's Church.  Mr. Adams is a 
substantial citizen, and a much respected member of his community.
	On April 12, 1905, Mr. Adams married Mrs. Lena (Wolfgang) Klinger, 
daughter of Daniel Wolfgang and widow of George Klinger. She had six 
children by her first marriage: Oliver, William, Jennie, Mary 
(deceased), Annie and Edith. No children have been born to her union 
with Mr. Adams.