Bios: Northumberland County: Wiest Family File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Bruce T. Hall BHall@iitri.org 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. Annotated Excerpts from: "Genealogical and Biographical Annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania;" J. L. Floyd & Co., Chicago, 1911 WIEST. The Wiest family of the southern section of Northumberland County had its origin in Berks County, Pa., where one Jacob Wiest settled about 1758, in Oley Township. The following year (1759), when the first tax was collected, he paid a federal tax of four pounds sterling ($10.64) (the Pennsylvania pound being reckoned at $2.66.) In 1759, his son Jacob Jr. was assessed among the "single men." According to tradition, the Jacob Wiest (1775-1811) who founded the family in Northumberland County ... settling in that section of Mahanoy Township now embraced in Jordan Township ... was in the third generation from (that is, a grandson of) the Jacob who settled in Oley Township in 1758, and the third in direct line to bear the name of Jacob, which has always been a favorite family name, there being a fourth and fifth Jacob in this line. The family has become a numerous one in Northumber-land County and its representatives are found in various vocations. JACOB WIEST III; born Jan. 5, 1775, in Oley Township, Berks County, died Aug. 14, 1811; came to Northumberland County with his family from Yellow House, Berks County. He married Barbara Fick, born Jan. 29, 1774, who long survived him, dying Sept. 11, 1855. After Jacob's death she remarried, her second husband being Michael Sallende. To Jacob and Barbara (Fick) Wiest were born six children: (1) John is mentioned below. (2) Samuel, born Aug. 21, 1795, died Jan. 3, 1867, was a butcher by occupation. He married Eve Klinger, born Jan. 16, 1794, died Jan. 18, 1870; and they had children as follows: John (known as "Oley John") married Lucy Beisel, was a farmer in Jordan Township, and went to California to hunt for gold; Jacob K. is mentioned below; Hannah, married Isaac Rothermel; Jestina (1828-1872), married William S. Shartle; Polly, married Peter Rebuck; Catherine, married Samuel Clark; and Barbara, married Daniel Snyder. (3) Jacob IV is mentioned below. (4) Daniel, who lived at Sacramento, Pa., had children: George, Edward, John, and Philip. (5) Mary married Joseph Tobias. (6) Catharine married Peter Klinger. * * * * * * * JOHN WIEST, son of Jacob III, was born at Klingerstown Feb. 14, 1794, and died Oct. 10, 1881. He was a very substantial businessman and became one of the leading citizens of his section, being a merchant at Klingerstown for many years. He married Catharine Merkel (born Feb. 26, 1795, died May 2, 1858) and they had children as follows: Moses, Daniel, Samuel, Tobias M., Jacob, Hannah (married William Deibert), Barbara (married David Klinger), Sarah (married William Strohecker), Polly (married George Shartle), and Mrs. Harry Hoffa. * * * * * TOBIAS M. WIEST, son of John and grandson of Jacob III, was born March 3, 1829, at Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, and was engaged as a merchant there throughout his active life, succeeding his father in the business. He also conducted a general store at Gratz, Dauphin County; owned land in that village; and also owned several farms. He served as post-master of Klingerstown, and, all in all, was a man of prominence and considerable influence in his day. He died April 25, 1885, and is buried at Klinger's Church, where many members of his family are interred. Tobias M. Wiest married twice. His first wife, whose maiden name was Baum, bore him three children: Preston, who is a resident of Klingerstown; Victor, of Klingerstown; and Emma, who married John Cannon, a retired resident of Venango County, Pa. Tobias married second, Mary Troutman, who survives him, now making her home with her only child, Carlos. * * * * CARLOS WIEST, son of Tobias M. and Mary (Troutman) Wiest, owner and proprietor of the "Hotel Wiest," the leading hotel of Herndon, Northumberland County, was born Dec. 2, 1874, at Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, son of Tobias and Mary (Troutman) Wiest. He was reared at his native place, and at an early age began to assist his father as clerk in the general store. He was quite young, however, when his father died. In 1896, he purchased what was then known as the "Union House" at Herndon, and still carries on the business, though the hotel is now known as the "Hotel Wiest." The property has been greatly improved during Mr. Wiest's ownership. He also enlarged the hotel, which is now one of the leading hostelries in the Susquehanna Valley. There are twenty-two rooms, provided with steam heat and every modern convenience. In conjunction with the hotel, Mr. Wiest also carries on a first-class livery establishment. Mr. Wiest is well known among the fraternities, belonging to I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 194 at Herndon, the F.& A.M. of Selinsgrove, the Williamsport Lodge of Perfection, the Consistory, and Rajah Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. He lives with his mother. [NOTE: Carlos T. Wiest (12/2/1874-3/31/1958) is buried alongside his wife, Mary A. ?????? (1850-11/15/1930) in the St. Peter's (Kreb's) Church Cemetery in Jackson Township.] * * * * * * * JACOB WIEST IV, third son of the Jacob Wiest (III) who founded the family in Northumberland County, was born at Uniontown [now Pillow] June 11, 1797, and died March 5, 1857. He removed to Uniontown from Klingerstown after his marriage, and became one of the most substantial and prominent citizens of that region. At the time of his death, his estate was valued at $36,000 ... a large fortune for the time and place. He owned fully 300 acres of land, for many years operated the gristmill now owned by Mr. Bohner, operated a linseed oil mill in Uniontown Gap, and also had an old-style sawmill which was located about 300 yards south of the oil mill. He built a barn near the present mill. He helped to build the Uniontown Lutheran and Reformed Church and was one of its leading members, serving many years as an elder. He married Mary Tobias (born Jan. 28, 1796, died June 23, 1868), daughter of Jonas Tobias. Mr. and Mrs. Wiest are buried in the Uniontown Cemetery at Pillow. Their children were: Harry, Jacob V (mentioned below), Rev. George, Mary (married John Bingeman), Elias (mentioned below), John (called "Philadelphia John"), William, Elizabeth (married Dr. Isaiah Schminkey), and Daniel (of Temple, or Yellow House, Berks County). * * * * * JACOB WIEST V, son of Jacob IV and Mary (Tobias) Wiest, was born in Uniontown, where he was a merchant for many years; later engaging in business in the same line at Selinsgrove, and afterwards at McKees Half Falls, where he met an accidental death Dec. 27, 1871, when he was fifty-one years old. He was married three times. His first wife, Susanna (Bordner), was a daughter of Peter Bordner of Berrysburg, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Wiest are buried at Uniontown. The children of their marriage were: Mary Jane, who married William M. Boyer; James M.; and William, who was killed March 17, 1865, when twenty years old, near Fayetteville, N.C. Jacob Wiest (V) second married Catharine Lark, by whom he had three children, all of whom died young. He married third, Sarah Nace, and to them were born five children: Rev. Edward (of York), Cora, Frederick, Jonathan (who died in infancy), and Jacob (who died at the age of seventeen). * * * * JAMES M. WIEST, son of Jacob (V) and Susanna (Bordner) Wiest, was born in Uniontown on Dec. 25, 1843. His early education was received in the local public schools, and later he attended Union Seminary at New Berlin in 1856-57, and for one term was a pupil at the Freeburg Academy. When a mere child, he began clerking in his father's store. He also clerked in the store of his uncle Elias, at Hickory Corners, with whom he lived for a number of years. He was but two years old when his mother died. When less that eighteen years old, on Oct. 16, 1861, he enlisted for three years service in the Civil War. At the end of fourteen months, he fell ill of typhoid fever, and had to return home, remaining with his father one winter. On Christmas Day 1862, his uncle Elias lost all his buildings at Hickory Corners by fire, the calamity being a very grievous one for him. Mr. Wiest then rejoined his uncle, with whom he continued for two years. During the winter of 1864, he assisted his father in butchering; and in December 1964, he was married. In the spring of 1865, he moved to Selinsgrove, where he worked for six years in a store of which his father was part owner. In 1871, he moved with his father to McKees Half Falls, where he worked in the store for one year. It was on Dec. 27, 1871, that his father met his death, a log rolling on him. After that, James M. Wiest and his brother-in-law, William M. Boyer, continued the business for a while; Mr. Boyer eventually buying out the business, which he moved further up the river. In 1872, Mr. Wiest began boating on the Susquehanna canal, following that business for seven years. For the next two years, he was a clerk in Bickel's store at Georgetown, and then moved to Vera Cruz (Malta), where he operated a store for the Farmer's Alliance for a period of four years. Returning to the employ of his uncle Elias, at Hickory Corners, he worked for him for another three years, at the end of which time, he moved to Shamokin, taking a position as clerk with R. S. Aucker, looking after his real estate and rents for eighteen years. In the spring of 1907, he located at Dalmatia, where he had a desirable home on the principal street; and there he has since lived, enjoying all the comforts of his retirement. He owns twenty-nine acres of land near the town and rents it out on shares. He served as constable of Lower Mahanoy Township, and has been always classed among the useful and intelligent citizens of his community, and held in high esteem by all who know him. In politics, he is a Democrat; in religion, a member of the Reformed denomination, he and his family belonging to the Reformed congregation of the Dalmatia Church. On Dec. 11, 1864, Mr. Wiest married Elmira Wald, daughter of David and Rebecca (Fegley) Wald of Montgomery County, Pa., and granddaughter of Solomon and Christine (Underkoffler) Wald. (Mrs. Solomon Wald died March 3, 1871, just a few days before completing her ninetieth year.) Five children were born to David and Rebecca Wald, namely: William, Elmira, Joshua, Lizzie, and David. Mr. Wald, by his first wife, whose maiden name was Harner, had one son, Augustus, who died at Herndon and is buried at Dalmatia; he left two children, Clara and Annie. James and Elmira (Wald) Wiest had seven children: (1) Wilmer W., a railroader, died at the age of forty-five and is buried at Shamokin. He left a widow, Ellen (Spotts), and one daughter, Clara. (2) Charles H. is mentioned below. (3) John Augustus died at the age of seventeen and is buried at Dalmatia. (4) Benton E., a carpenter, lives in Shamokin. He married Katie Kulp, and they have children, Catharine and Allen. (5) Mary E. married Milton E. Keeler, a purchasing agent for the Kingston Coal Company. They make their home in Kingston. They have one child, Frances Ruth. (6) Selen M., baggage master for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Shamokin, who makes his home in that borough. He is unmarried. (7) Annie L. married Thomas Spears, an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. They make their home in Shamokin. They have twin daughters, Elmira and Vivian. * * * CHARLES H. WIEST, son of James M. Wiest, was born July 29, 1867, at Selinsgrove, Pa. He received his education in the public schools. After working on the farm in Lower Mahanoy Township for five years, he began learning the carpenter's trade at the age of twenty, and that has since been his vocation. For some years, he worked in Shamokin and Philadelphia. In 1907, he located in Sunbury and became a member of the contracting firm of C. H. Brosius & Co., contractors and builders. (There was another member of the firm, F. R. Yeager, who withdrew one year after the organization of the firm.) C. H. Brosius & Co. enjoy a fine reputation for high-grade work; and, as the work demands, employs as many as forty-five men. Among the buildings this firm constructed are the W. A. Shipman residence on Market St., the printing office of the Sunbury "Daily;" the No. 3 Lythia Springs school building in Point Township, where they also remodeled the No. 2 building; the M. E. Church on Catawissa Ave., which they erected in 1910; and many other business buildings, residences, and schoolhouses. Mr. Wiest is a member of Local 37, Carpenters & Joiners Union, of Shamokin; and socially belongs to Shamokin Camp No. 72, Sons of Veterans, and Shamokin Camp No. 30, P.O.S. of A. He and his family are members of the Reformed Church. In 1893, he married Ida Witmer, daughter of Ephraim Witmer of Lower Mahanoy Township. They have had four children: Stella May, Alvin Monroe, Madeline Elmira, and a son that died in infancy. * * * * * ELIAS WIEST, son of Jacob and Mary (Tobias) Wiest, was born May 8, 1825, at Uniontown, and died July 29, 1890. He lived in Hickory Corners, where he conducted the store, hotel, and farm; his establishment being the nucleus in which all the life of the place centered. He built up this village during the forties, and it thrived until Christmas Day 1862, when the store, hotel, a private dwelling, sheds, etc., were all destroyed by fire, the loss being very heavy. Mr. Wiest at once undertook the rebuilding of the place; which. to this day, has continued to be a business center. He was a through businessman, influential because of his high character as much as on account of his success; and, although the Baker Silver Mine affair in Colorado caused him heavy financial loss through the assistance he gave to others, he was a leading man in his community to the end of his days. He was active in business pursuits until his death. He ran a huckster team to Pottsville, hauling considerable produce to that city. As a branch of the establishment in Hickory Corners, he owned and operated the store at Vera Cruz [Gratz]. He also owned a farm at Hickory Corners, now the property of his son-in-law, Jonathan Spotts; and, in the same neighborhood, had another tract of 38 acres. He was the first postmaster at Hickory Corners, and was retained in that office until his death. In one winter, he slaughtered one thousand sheep, which he sold at Pottsville, along with many hogs and cattle. For business enterprise, he held the records in his vicinity. Though a busy man, he found time for activity in the work of the local church, he and his family being Reformed members of the Zion (Stone Valley) Church. There he took particular interest in the Sunday school, where he was a teacher for many years and superintendent for some time. His wife, Catharine (Bingeman), daughter of Adam Bingeman, was born April 15, 1828, and survived him, dying August 18, 1899. They had a family of six children: (1) Emma J., who is the widow of Aaron Mattis; (2) John, deceased; (3) Mary, wife of D. J. Keen; (4) Frederick M.; (5) Jacob A., deceased; and (6) Henrietta, wife of Jonathan Spotts. * * * FREDERICK M. WIEST, son of Elias, was born Jan. 7, 1854, at Hickory Corners, where he spent his youth and received his education. For a time, he was employed in sawmills in Lycoming County, and then in the lumber regions of Lycoming and Potter Counties. Still later, he was employer at Peale, where he drove a mercantile team for the McEntire Coal Company. In 1887, he returned to Hickory Corners, where he lived until 1889. That year, he moved to his present home, owning a tract of 95 acres in Lower Mahanoy Township which was formerly the Dohney homestead and later was owned by Jacob Peifer, who sold it to William Bingeman (uncle of Frederick M. Wiest), who in turn sold it to Levi Kauffman, from whom Mr. Wiest acquired it. He has made many improvements on the place; changing the buildings, fertilizing the ground, and in many ways adding to the value of the property, which bears evidence of his thrifty care and management. In politics, he is a Democrat, and he has held various local offices. In July 1876, Mr. Wiest married Sara Spotts, daughter of Michael Spotts. They have nine children: William H., now of Millersburg; Mary E., wife of John Witmer; Frederick M. of Hampton Roads, Va.; George of Millersburg; Daniel W.; Michael A.; John E.; Laura C.; and Sarah E. Mr. Wiest and his family belong to the Reformed congregation of the Zion (Stone Valley) Church. * * * JACOB A. WIEST, son of Elias, was born in Lower Mahanoy Township, and became a traveling salesman for Miller, Bain. Beyer & Co., wholesale dry goods and notions dealers, of Market and Filbert Streets, Philadelphia. He was thus engaged for about twenty-eight years, his territory being in central Pennsylvania and including the counties of Schuylkill, Dauphin, Northumberland, Centre, Snyder, Perry, and Juniata. He had a fine farm of 77 acres in Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin County, upon which he made his home for four years, supervising the cultivation which was done by his son Harry. For thirteen years, he made his home in Dalmatia, after which he moved to Millersburg, where he had resided for about five years at the time of his death. He died while undergoing an operation in Philadelphia on Nov. 17, 1905, at the age of forty-nine years, nine months, twelve days. He is buried at the Stone Valley Church in Lower Mahanoy Township. Mr. Wiest was an active member of and worker in the Reformed Church; and, just before his death, had been instrumental in having the Millersburg Reformed Church frescoed. One of his last acts was to collect the money to pay the expense of the frescoing. He was always a liberal contributor to the support of churches and religious enterprises. Mr. Wiest is survived by his wife, Mary J. (Snyder), daughter of Jacob and Polly (Messner) Snyder. She makes her home in Millersburg. They had one child, a son Harry, who was born Sept. 30, 1876, at Bridgeport in Lower Mahanoy Township. * * * HARRY WIEST, son of Jacob A. Wiest, received his early education in the public schools, attending at Dalmatia and Millersburg, and later taking a course in the business college at Collegeville, Pa. In the spring of 1895, he began farming, and has been working on his own account since 1899, his place showing the results of good management and intelligent cultivation. It is a very desirable property, lying along the north side of the Mahantango Creek. It was once the Daniel Lantz homestead. Mr. Wiest is a progressive and industrious farmer, and is obtaining excellent results from his work. In 1898, he married Annie Ossman, daughter of Andrew and Sallie (Negley) Ossman of Lykens Valley. They have one child, John Elias. Mr. Wiest is a Republican in politics; and he and his family are members of the Reformed Church. Mr. Wiest served as a Sunday school teacher for some years and, for a time, as superintendent of the Sunday school at Malta. * * * * * JACOB K. WIEST, son of Samuel and grandson of Jacob III, was born Jan. 14, 1821, in Jordan Township, and died April 20, 1877. He was a farmer in Jordan Township, owning a tract of some 120 acres; and, during the winter time, following butchering and selling meat. He was also engaged in droving; and in buying and selling cattle, to some extent. For eight years before his death, he lived retired, making his home in Uniontown, where he owned a house and where he died. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Trautman), daughter of Peter Trautman (whose wife's maiden name was Potteiger), are buried at Klinger's Church. She was struck dead by lightning while walking through her kitchen. Their children were: Harry; John T.; Amelia, who married Reuben Shade; Frank; Samuel; E. T.; Catharine, who married Edward Witmer of Allentown; Monroe, of Allentown; Jacob (deceased); Preston; and William. [NOTE: Jacob Klinger Wiest (6/23/1826-10/23/1878) and his wife Elizabeth Troutman (11/22/1825-7/29/1881) are buried in the Zion (Klinger's) Church Cemetery. Three of their sons are buried in the Hebe Cemetery: Edward T. (see below); Jacob T. (1/28/1859- 6/16/1887), unmarried; and Wm. Irvin Wiest (10/21/1868-5/24/1938), who is buried with his wife Elizabeth Troutman (9/7/1865-2/23/1952). Another son, Frank T. (9/24/1851-4/12/1925) and his wife Amelia E. Osman (12/14/1859-1/7/1928) are buried in the Pillow Grandview Cemetery.] * * * JOHN T. WIEST, son of Jacob K., has long been a substantial citizen of Jordan Township. His present home is at Hebe. He was born in the township Oct. 4, 1846, was reared on the farm, and worked for his parents until he attained his majority. For about five years following, he worked at Klingerstown in the employ of Jacob M. and Tobias M. Wiest, merchants of that place, driving their huckster team to Pottsville as often as twice a week. From Klingerstown, Mr. Wiest moved to Hebe, where he lived for six years, engaged in cattle droving. He then settled on his father's farm of 120 acres near that place, which he bought. After a year's ownership of that property, however, he sold it at a profit to John Trautman, and moved to another place that he bought in Jordan Township near Uniontown, consisting of 70 acres. He cultivated this place for seventeen years, at the end of that time moving back to Hebe, where he owned a house and where he remained for three years before moving to the farm he has since occupied. This place is also close to Hebe, and consists of 125 acres, which he and his son Irwin owned in partnership until Mr. Wiest finally purchased his son's interest. This place was once the Henry Bowman homestead. It is a fine piece of property, fertile and well located, and Mr. Wiest has cultivated it profitably for a number of years. He built the present barn on the place in the nineties. He is an industrious man and an excellent manager, and his fellow citizens have so approved of his integrity and ability that they have chosen him to serve in several public offices. He was treasurer of Jordan Township for eight years, school director for seven years, and supervisor for one year. He has also been prominent in church affairs as trustee and treasurer of the Hebe church known as David's Church of which he and his family are Reformed members. He has also served the church as deacon and elder, having been one of its prominent members for years. In 1867, Mr. Wiest married Catharine Heim, daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Battorf) Heim of Washington Township, Northumberland County. Mrs. Wiest was born Feb. 24, 1848; died Oct. 12, 1908; and is buried in the Wiest family plot at Hebe, where a fine monument marks her grave. Mr. and Mrs. Wiest had four children: Irwin H., who is mentioned below; Nolan H.; Catharine, who married Maurice Brosius, a farmer from Jordan Township (Their children are: Mabel, Carlos, Frederick, Harold, and John.); and John E., who died when one year, four months old. [NOTE: John T. Wiest (10/4/1846-8/16/1919) and his wife Catherine Heim (2/26/1848-10/12/1908) are buried in the Hebe Cemetery, along with their son John E. Wiest (7/17/1882-11/24/1883) who died as a child. Two of their daughters are also buried, with their husbands in that cemetery: Catherine E. (10/22/1874-1957), who married Maurice Brosius (8/26/1874-1960); and Mabel C. (1894-1972), who married Chauncey E. Boyer (12/26/1889-1970).] * * * IRWIN H. WIEST, son of John T. Wiest, was born Oct. 21, 1868, in Jordan Township, where he was reared to farming, working for his father until he was nineteen years old. He was married at that time, and worked a year for his father-in-law, Simon Trautman. In the spring of 1900, he began farming on his own account, in Lower Mahanoy Township, where he rented for a year. He then lived at Hebe for some years, until the spring of 1907, when he moved onto his own place in Jordan Township, a 124-acre tract which was formerly the Henry Miller homestead. This farm lies along the road from Dalmatia to Klingerstown. Mr. Wiest is an intelligent and ambitious farmer, and is doing well On Feb. 25, 1888, Mr. Wiest married Elizabeth Trautman, daughter of Simon and Sarah (Schadel) Troutman. They had three daughters: Maud; Carrie, who died in her fifteenth year; and Nora. The family attended the Hebe church, of which Mr. Wiest was a Reformed member, while Mrs. Wiest belonged to the Lutheran congregation. Mr. Wiest is a Democrat in political matters. * * * * * E. T. WIEST, son of Jacob K. Wiest, was born Feb. 18, 1854, and was reared upon the farm, working there until he was grown. While still quite young, he learned the butcher's trade, which he followed at Pillow for fully twenty years. For a number of years, he was associated with his brother, Frank, in that business. They killed as many as twenty head of cattle weekly. E. T. Wiest then conducted the hotel at Uniontown (Pillow) for four years, after which he was at Dalmatia for one year in that same line. He next engaged in the mercantile business at Wiconisco, in Dauphin County, where he remained for two years. After living in Pillow again for several years, he again embarked in the hotel business at Hickory Corners, where he has conducted the "Keystone Hotel" since 1907. Mr. Wiest is well known, as he has a particularly fine reputation for the good table he sets. Dr. Emerick's numerous patients usually patronize his table when they come to town. On March 28, 1880, Mr. Wiest married Edith Musser, daughter of Henry and Annetta (Noblet) Musser of Millersburg. Mr. and Mrs. Wiest have three children: Lizzie, who married Lane Reeser, and is living in Wiconisco; Stella May, who is unmarried and who lives at home; and Edward H., who was born Sept. 18, 1889, and who married Beulah Harris, daughter of Walter and Lucy (Schaffer) Harris. Mr. Wiest and his family are members of the Reformed congregation of the Zion (Stone Valley) Church. On political matters, Mr. Wiest is a Democrat. [NOTE: Edward T. Wiest (2/18/1854-1927) and his wife Edith E. Musser (1860-1922) are buried in the Pillow Union Cemetery. Their son Edward H. Wiest (9/18/1889-1961) and his wife Beulah Harris (1891-1977) are also buried in that cemetery.]