Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 198 thru 225 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. WILLIAM L. DEWART, of Sunbury, editor and proprietor of the Sunbury Daily and the Northumberland County Democrat, wields in that connection an appreciable influence upon public sentiment and progress in that community. His father and grandfather were men of character and force, both representatives in the National Legislature, and the name has long been associated in Pennsylvania with leadership in the Democratic party. William Dewart, the great-grandfather of William L. Dewart, was born in 1740 in Ireland, and came thence to America in 1765, first settling in Chester county, Pa. He was in such humble circumstances that he paid his passage money after his arrival, working for five dollars a month, but industry and thrift soon brought their reward. He came to Sunbury, where he opened a store in 1775, just three years after the organization of Northumberland county. He was the second merchant at that point, and his store was the first in the town, a log building on Chestnut street, between Second and Center streets. Subsequently he purchased ground on the north side of Market street, where he built a brick residence and store, and he made a success of his business, accumulating considerable property. He was constable of Augusta township as early as 1777. He died July 25, 1814, aged seventy-four years. His wife, Eleanor, died Sept. 17, 1805, aged fifty-eight years, ten months, twenty-four days. They had a large family of children, most of whom, however, died in youth. We have record of the two sons William, Jr., and Lewis, the latter of whom was the grandfather of the present William L. Dewart, of Sunbury. William Dewart, Jr., died Nov. 12, 1810, aged thirty-two years, one month, twenty-three days; he married Liberty Brady, who was born Aug. 9, 1778, daughter of John and Mary Brady, and died July 25, 1851. Their son, William, born Nov. 24, 1806, died May 18, 1841; he was a well known merchant at Sunbury. Hon. Lewis Dewart, son of William and Eleanor Dewart, was born in Sunbury Nov. 14, 1780, when the place was little more than a military post in the wilderness. For a number of years he was his father's assistant in the store, and was postmaster at Sunbury from 1806 until 1816, but his public career began when he was a comparatively young man and covered many years. From 1812 to 1820 he represented his district in the State Assembly and in 1823 was elected State senator to succeed Albright, deceased, serving three years in that capacity. In 1830 he was elected a member of the Twenty-second Congress from what is now the Seventeenth district and was reelected in 1832. In 1834 he was honored with reelection to the State Legislature, in which he resumed his seat and served three terms, until 1840, during the last year of that period being honored with the speakership of the House. In 1839 he was chief burgess of Sunbury, and for many years he was a member of the School Board. Mr. Dewart was not only a highly capable public servant, but a citizen who benefited the community equally in his activity in the development of industrial enterprises, noteworthy among which was the Danville & Pottsville railroad, which, in company with Stephen Girard, of Philadelphia, and Gen. Daniel Montgomery, of Danville, he organized and built; Mr. Dewart was one of the first directors of this road and served as such for many years. He and Stephen Girard were the pioneers in the Schuylkill county coal fields, and they had large holdings of valuable coal property in the vicinity of Shamokin, this county, as well as in Schuylkill county. Their idea was to uncover the coal instead of tunneling, but the process proved too expensive to be practicable. Mr. Dewart was identified with the promotion or realization of many of the most advanced improvements of his day and was, indeed, one of the most prominent citizens in central Pennsylvania, but his business undertakings were particularly helpful to the opening up of the territory north of Sunbury. In 1840, the year he retired from active business pursuits, he was a Democratic candidate for the nomination for governor. He was succeeded in the leadership of the party by his son, William Lewis Dewart, who carried the honor of the name into even greater usefulness than his father had attempted. Lewis Dewart was associated with the most noted men of his time, being a warm friend of Andrew Jackson, and his influential connections gave him the opportunity to do much for his home community that would have been impossible for one less powerful or valuable personally. He was a man of fine presence, commanding attention and respect wherever he went. His death occurred April 26, 1852, when he was seventy-one years old, and his remains rest in a vault at Sunbury. He married Elizabeth Liggett, a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Hon. William Lewis Dewart, only son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Liggett) Dewart, was born June 21, 1821, at Sunbury, and received his education at various places. His early training was largely END OF PAGE 198 received at Harrisburg where the family were located during the many sessions his father served in the State Legislature, and he took his preparatory collegiate course at Dickinson Preparatory School, Carlisle, Pa., after graduating from which institution he entered Princeton as a sophomore, in 1886. He was graduated from that university in 1839, read law with Hon. Charles G. Donnel, of Sunbury, and was admitted to the bar Jan. 3, 1843. The law was his chosen vocation, and he practiced for many years in partnership with the famous Capt. Charles J. Bruner, of Sunbury, but his forceful nature and the circumstances of his father's failing health and consequent retirement drew him into business and public affairs, for which he proved to be eminently fitted. In 1845-46 be served as chief burgess of Sunbury, and at that time he was already regarded as the local party leader, a supremacy which was accorded him until 1870, for a quarter of a century. During that period he was regarded as the foremost man in Northumberland county. In 1850 his father's health failed, forcing him to assume business cares which were too important to be intrusted elsewhere. His private interests were very extensive, and he was long a director of the Northumberland National Bank (now known as the First National Bank of Sunbury). In 1852 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Baltimore, in 1856 to the Cincinnati Convention and in 1860 to the "Douglas" Convention, the same year being a Pennsylvania elector on the Douglas ticket. In 1884 he was a delegate to the Chicago Convention which nominated Cleveland for President. In 1856 he was elected a member of the Thirty- fifth Congress. A portly gentleman, of fine appearance and genial disposition, he was an attractive as well as prominent figure in society, and held a notable place in all the activities of his day. He was a Mason in fraternal connection and a Presbyterian in religion. His death occurred in Sunbury April 19, 1888. On June 21, 1848, Mr. Dewart married Rosetta Van Horn, daughter of Espy Van Horn, of Williamsport and they reared two sons. Mrs. Dewart survived her husband. In 1853 Mr. Dewart took his family to Europe, spending about a year traveling over England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and other places of interest and attraction. It is a coincidence worthy of note that Espy Van Horn, of Williamsport, father of Mrs. Dewart, was the direct predecessor in Congress of Mr. Dewart's father; and that William Wilson, her stepfather, was her father's predecessor in that legislative body. Lewis Dewart son of Hon. William Lewis Dewart, was born May 6, 1849, in Sunbury. After attending the common schools he took a preparatory course at Columbia, Pa., and Edge Hill, and then entered Princeton, graduating therefrom in 1872. He read law with the late Judge Jordan, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He received the degree of Master of Arts from his alma mater. In 1875 Mr. Dewart was elected borough clerk, which office he held one term, and in 1877 was elected district attorney. Like others of the name he was an energetic worker in the Democratic party, having been a member of the central committee, and delegate to county, district, State and national conventions, among them the convention at which Pattison was nominated for governor and the convention in 1892 when Cleveland received the nomination. He was a member of Sunbury Lodge, No. 22, F. & A.M. He died Aug. 27, 1901, unmarried. William L. Dewart son of William Lewis and Rosetta (Van Horn) Dewart, was born March 24, 1858, in Washington, D. C., while his father was a member of Congress. After receiving his elementary training he was a student for two years at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, at Chester, thence going to the Shoemaker Academy, at Chambersburg, from which he was graduated in 1877. Returning to Sunbury he commenced to learn the printing and newspaper business, reporting for the Daily and the Northumberland County Democrat, and in time becoming city editor of the Daily, in which he purchased an interest Jan. 1, 1880. He has been associated with that paper as editor and proprietor ever since, and in the same capacity with the Northumberland County Democrat, both of which papers have been under the same ownership and management throughout that period. Though he has never had any personal official aspirations, and has never been a candidate for any political office, Mr. Dewart has upheld the reputation of his family as a bulwark of the Democratic party, and has served as delegate to many conventions. In 1884 he was alternate at the national convention held at Chicago which gave Grover Cleveland his first nomination for the Presidency; in 1892, when Cleveland was nominated for the third time, he was a delegate to the national convention; and he was again a delegate in 1904, at St. Louis, when Alton B. Parker received the nomination. Mr. Dewart is a member of Lodge No. 22, F.& A.M., Northumberland Chapter, No. 174, R.A.M., and Calvary Commandery, No. 74, K.T., all of Sunbury; has been a vestryman of the Episcopal Church at Sunbury for a number of years; and maintains considerable activity in the social life of the city, being noted for his hospitable and companionable nature. In 1897 Mr. Dewart married Edith Grant, daughter of the late William T. Grant of Sunbury, and to them have been born three sons, William Lewis, Lewis and Gilbert F. END OF PAGE 199 WILLIAM Z. RAKER has been identified with mercantile business at Trevorton for over fifty years, having first come to this place in 1858. With the exception of a few years spent in the South he has lived there ever since. He became interested in his present establishment in 1899. Mr. Raker was born Nov. 2, 1834, in Little Mahanoy township, this county, son of Jacob Raker. The latter was born in that township in 1808 and there spent all his rife. By occupation he was a farmer and tanner, tanning being his main occupation. He was a man of considerable prominence in the locality in his day, served as justice of the peace, school director, and in other offices, and was one time a candidate for county sheriff, but was defeated by a very small majority. Politically he was quite an active member of the Democratic party. He died Dec. 28, 1859, aged fifty-one years, eight months, two days, and is buried in Little Mahanoy township. He married Barbara Zartman, and they became the parents of fourteen children, namely: Harry, Lucinda, William Z., Daniel, Abbie, Cornelius, Samuel, Enoch, Rebecca, Conrad, Alice, Joseph, and two that died in infancy. William Z. Raker attended pay schools conducted in the home territory in his youth and later had the advantages of two terms at Freeburg Academy and one term at Berrysburg. For two terms he was engaged in teaching, one in Lower Augusta township and one in Little Mahanoy township, after which he found employment as clerk for William Deppen, in Jackson township, and also at Trevorton, whither he came in 1858. After three years in his employ he became a clerk for Mowton & Co., with whom he remained two years, in 1861 engaging in a general mercantile business on his own account. He carried on this store until 1874, when he gave up the business to go South, being in South Carolina for some time. After a lapse of eight years he became assistant to the postmaster at Trevorton, continuing as such for three years, when he reentered business life as member of the firm of Raker & Kostetter, on Feb. 17, 1899, his associate being Isaac Kostetter. They continued to do business together until May, 1903, when Mr. Raker became sole proprietor of the store, which he still conducts. Mr. Raker has long been associated with the public affairs of the community, having served ten years as tax collector, one term as assessor, and also as auditor, giving faithful service in all these trusts. He is a Democrat in political connection. In religion he is a Lutheran, one of the workers in, his church, which he has served in an official capacity: for twelve years he was superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Raker married Charlotte Malich, daughter of Jacob Malich, and they have had four children: Emma, the widow of Philip C. Breimeier, has one son, Frederick W., a graduate of Bucknell College, class of 1910, now a teacher at State College; Katie, is the wife of D. W. Reitz, of Trevorton, and has sons W. Stanley and Robert; J. Wilson lives at Trevorton; Eva A. married Fred Walt, of Trevorton, and they have children, Charlotte S. and Roger William. JAMES H. STRAUB, president and general manager of the Croninger Packing Company, is an active and successful business man of Shamokin, where he has made his home since 1894. The Straub family originally came from Germany. George Straub, grandfather of James H., lived in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he was engaged in farming in the Mahantango Valley, owning a farm of 260 acres of good land. He died in Deep Creek Valley, in that county, in 1858, aged fifty-three years, and was buried there. His wife, Bevvie Zerbe, daughter of John Zerbe, died aged ninety-six years, and was buried at Williamstown, Dauphin county. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: John, who died in Schuylkill county; George, who died in Schuylkill county; Elias, who died at Shamokin; Joseph, who died at Girardville, Pa.; Daniel, living at Williamstown; Moses, who died young; Henry, who served in the Civil war and died one week after his release from Andersonville prison; Emanuel, born in the Mahantango Valley Nov. 5, 1843, who served as a private in Company D, 48th, Pa. V.I., in the Civil war, and now lives in Shamokin; Harriet, who married David Crone, and died in Schuylkill county; and Tobias, living at Wiconisco, Pennsylvania. Daniel Straub, son of George, was born in the Mahantango Valley, and followed farming in his youth. He now resides in Dauphin county, at Williamstown, where in connection with farming he has a fine teaming business. He married Lucy Derr, of Schuylkill county, and their children are: John, who is in the real estate business in Los Angeles, Cal.; James H.; Lena, who married J. N. Weidel, of Altoona, Pa.; Charles, a miner at Williamstown; and Mamie, who married Albert Skelton, an engineer at Williamstown. James H. Straub was born near Hegins, Schuylkill county, March 25, 1866. He attended the schools of Dauphin county, and on starting out to earn his own way began as a miner, a line of work he followed until he was twenty-six years of age. In 1887 he went to Kansas, and two years later to Colorado, following mining in the latter State. On his return East he located at Williamstown, Dauphin county, and was there engaged in mining until 1894, when he came to Shamokin. Here he learned the butcher's trade with his uncle, Elias Straub, and after a short time he and his uncle formed a partnership under the name of Straub & Co., which continued for three years. The uncle retiring Mr. Straub carried the business on alone, END OF PAGE 200 and made a great success of it. He was located at No. 104 South Market street, and in April, 1907, sold his business to Paul & Pensyl. In October, 1906, he had become president of the Croninger Packing Company, and in order to give his whole attention to the development of this business he was obliged to give up his private establishment. He is also general manager for the company, which is doing one of the largest businesses of the kind in this part of the State. The business is established in a large brick building at No. 429 West Walnut street, Shamokin, affording about forty thousand square feet of floor space. Mr. Straub is a man of fine executive ability, and through this and his sound business judgment has been able to bring about the best results for the company of which he is the head. His business integrity has given the company a high standing in the commercial world. He was one of the organizers and original directors of the new Dime Trust & Safe Deposit Company, of Shamokin. Mr. Straub married Amelia Mace, daughter of Michael Mace, and they have two children, Howard and Charles. Mr. Straub is a member of Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, F. & A.M.; Shamokin Chapter No. 264 R.A.M.; Shamokin Commandery, No 77, K.T.; Bloomsburg Consistory; thirty-second degree; and the Temple Club at Shamokin. The family attend the Evangelical Church. ALFRED C. CLARK, M.D., of Sunbury, has been engaged in the practice of medicine in that borough for a period of forty years, and has long been one of the prominent physicians of his section. He has served in a number of public positions, in his professional capacity, and in every relation of life has been found a valuable citizen, conscientious in the performance of duty and in his endeavors to uphold high standards of living among the many with whom his work has brought him into association. Dr. Clark is a grandson of Jonathan Clark, who married Elizabeth Stroh, daughter of Philip Stroh, who was from Lancaster county, Pa. Mrs. Clark was born Jan. 14, 1802, and died Aug. 22, 1884. She was the mother of: David, of Northumberland county; John, of Lower Augusta township, this county; Mary, who married a Mr. DeWitt, and is now a widow, living in Lower Augusta township; and Philip. Philip Clark, son of Jonathan, was born in Upper Augusta township, this county, and died at Sunbury at the age of sixty-five years. He married Eliza Fry, of Upper Augusta township, and both are buried in Pomfret Manor cemetery, at Sunbury. Owing to his father's untimely death Philip Clark was early thrown upon his own resources, and he began life in such humble circumstances that he was obliged to go barefooted until grown. He worked as a farm laborer from young boyhood, and received but forty days schooling. But his was a strong nature, and he triumphed over obstacles by perseverance and application, educating himself by devotion to study at every opportunity so that in early manhood he was able to teach, beginning in Upper Augusta township. He followed that calling some years. He was successful in everything he undertook. A natural-born carpenter, he built many houses in Sunbury, making the plans as well as doing the work, and he was long engaged as a railroad and bridge contractor, in which line he was associated with different parties. He built the Port Carbon railroad, and in partnership with Adam Lenker he built several large bridges. For some time he conducted a general store at Snydertown, Pa. Politically he was a Democrat and influential in the party, and he served from 1859 to 1862 as commissioner of Northumberland county. He was an Episcopalian in religious connection. Alfred Craven Clark was the only son of Philip and Eliza Clark. He was named Craven after the civil engineer who laid out the Port Carbon railroad. Born Aug. 3, 1845, in Sunbury, he has passed the greater part of his life in that borough, where he received his early education in public and private schools. He obtained his professional preparation in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1869, after which he was located at Dalmatia, this county, for a year. He has since been settled at Sunbury, having his office on Market square, and there are few men in that place better known. Dr. Clark has not only been energetic in responding to the demands of private practice, but he has taken the larger view of responsibility which brings added duties to so many of his profession. Seeing the needs of the community in their constant daily contact with its many phases, they cannot evade the call of public spirit and intelligent interest in the general welfare, and their opportunities for remedial work result in unselfish though often unappreciated efforts to help their fellow citizens. He served seven years as prison physician, was county medical inspector for the department of health of the State of Pennsylvania for the long period of twenty-three years (resigning this office in 1908), and for two years was surgeon for the Northern Central and Philadelphia & Erie railroads. Socially he holds membership in the B.P.O. Elks and the Odd Fellows, at Sunbury. He is a Democrat in political opinion and has been active in the party. In short he is interested in all the life of the community, his energetic nature finding channels of usefulness opening in every direction in which his work or sympathies lead him. In 1867 Dr. Clark married Elizabeth Reess, of Philadelphia, daughter of C. Bard and Julia Reess, and they have had one daughter, Louisa Rebecca, who is the wife of Dr. William L. Shindel, END OF PAGE 201 of Sunbury, and has one son, Daniel W. Mrs. Clark belongs to an old family of Philadelphia, and is of Revolutionary stock, being a member of Fort Augusta Chapter, D.A.R. JOHN N. BUFFINGTON, proprietor of the Uniontown Marble & Granite Works, was born Feb. 1, 1867, at Pillow, Pa., son of Cyrus F. Buffington. The family to which he belongs has been identified with that community for several generations. Solomon Buffington, his great-grandfather, lived and died in the Lykens Valley, and is buried at St. John's Church there. His wife was Elizabeth Romberger and after her first husband's death she married a Sheaffer, of Snyder county, Pa. Solomon Buffington and his wife had children: Josiah,, Benjamin, Solomon, Jonathan, John, Mary (who was twice married, her first husband being named Mark, the second Netzel), Susan (Mrs. Shoop) and Mrs. Burtner. John Buffington, son of Solomon, was a native of Lykens Valley and in his earlier years moved to Uniontown (Pillow), where he followed the wheelwright business. He is buried at Uniontown, at the United Brethren Church, in the welfare of which he had long been active. To him and his wife, Catharine (France), was born a large family: Cyrus F., Sarah (married John Clinger), William, Hannah (married Solomon Leitzel), Elizabeth (married Isaac Hand), Christiana (married Isaac Graeff), Harriet (married William Drumm), Solomon (of Shamokin, expressman at the depot), Mary, and three who died young. Cyrus F. Buffington, son of John, is the father of John N. Buffington. He was born Sept. 24, 1839, and has lived at Pillow all his life, following his trade, that of wheelwright. He was a successful man, prospering by dint of industry, and for fifty years he and his brother William were associated in business, making many wagons. They employed three or four hands and had a thriving trade. Both now lead a semi- retired life. Cyrus F. Buffington has been a justice of the peace for thirty years and has held a number of other local offices, having been an active and highly esteemed member of his community. He is identified with the United Brethren Church and one of its foremost members, having held all the church offices, in which he gave most conscientious and efficient service. Mr. Buffington married Caroline Bingaman, daughter of Nicholas Bingaman, and they have had the following children: Rev. Henry, of Coalport, Pa., a prominent minister of the United Brethren Church; Irwin, deceased: John N.; Flora, married to Charles Shettelsworth, of Williamstown; Lloyd, a blacksmith of Uniontown and Emma, married to Isaac Boyer. John N. Buffington spent his youth in Pillow (Uniontown), where he lived until eighteen years old. He then went to Shamokin, in which borough he clerked in stores for twelve years, four years for J. P. Haas & Co., two years for W. H. Malick & Co., and six years for the Shamokin Hardware Company. In January, 1898, he returned to Uniontown and formed a partnership with Ed. D. Bingaman, Bingaman & Buffington taking the business of P. Sauser and continuing it for ten years. Mr. Buffington then purchased the interest of his partner and he is now sole proprietor. He employs four skilled mechanics and does a large business, mostly local. He has erected many monuments in Tower City, and in fact all over lower Northumberland county. His prosperity is well deserved, for it has been won by hard work, and he is respected for his ability and high standards by all with whom he has had dealings. He was a member of the borough council three years. On Dec. 25, 1899, Mr. Buffington married Lizzie S. Hepler, daughter of William H. and Mary (Dunkelberger) Hepler, of Eldred township; Schuylkill county, the latter a daughter of Jacob Dunkelberger. Mr. and Mrs. Buffington have had two children, Leon Earl and Albert Franklin. The family occupy a large brick residence in Uniontown equipped with all modern conveniences. They are members of the United Brethren Church at Uniontown, and Mr. Buffington has been a regular attendant at services and an active helper in the church work; he has filled all the official positions. George Buffington, a venerable resident of Pauls Valley, in Dauphin county. Pa., has a sixty-acre farm there which he cultivates, his son William now doing the active work. His wife, Amelia Sponsell, is well along in the seventies, but they are nevertheless active in church life, Mr. Buffington as a member of the United Brethren Church and Mrs. Buffington of the M. E. Church. They have had ten children: George W.; Sarah J., married to Elias Duncan; Laurance, who was killed in the lumber woods in Center county; Alice, who died young; Ellen, married to Gabriel Zimmerman; Adaline; Charles, who died after he was married, aged about twenty-five years, leaving one child Annie, who married Mr. Anders, and lives in Pauls Valley; John, of Fisher's Ferry, Pa.; and William, who is at home. George W. Buffington, son of George, is a farmer in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county. He was born in Pauls Valley, Dauphin Co., Pa., in September 1856, and was reared to farm life. After he grew up he hired out among farmers in Dauphin and Northumberland counties and began farming for himself in Little Mahanoy township in 1884. After farming there one year he did laboring work some years, at Paxinos. and in 1891 came to Lower Augusta township, where he ran the D. H. Snyder & Co. farm for fourteen years on shares. In 1905 he END OF PAGE 202 purchased his present farm, which was the William Spies place, in Lower Augusta. It comprises seventy-six acres of fertile land, and is improved with nice buildings, all substantial and in good repair. He attends markets at Sunbury. Mr. Buffington is a Republican and is a school director of his township at present. He and his family are Lutherans, and he served as deacon while living at Paxinos. In October, 1878, Mr. Buffington was married, in Little Mahanoy township, to Hannah Reed; daughter of William Reed, of Little Mahanoy, and their family consists of two sons and three daughters: William, of Gratz, Pa.; Frances, of Rockefeller township; Lydia, unmarried, at home; Froena, married to Howard Klock, who lives with his father-in-law; and Mary Ada, at home. W. T. SHEPPERSON, a business man of the borough of Riverside, Northumberland county, and long a leading figure in the public life of that place, where he is now serving his tenth year as burgess, is a native of England, born in 1859 in Nottinghamshire. He has lived in this country since childhood. Thomas Shepperson, his grandfather, lived and died in Nottinghamshire, England, where he farmed and kept a tavern. He reached the advanced age of ninety-one years, while his wife lived to be ninety. They were the parents of the following children: William, who came to America about 1848, was a contractor and as such built a part of the Catawissa railroad, now part of the Reading road; he died in Danville, Pa., some years ago. Thomas came to this country with his brother William and later located in Denver, Cola., where he still lives. Andrew lived and died in Nottinghamshire, England, his death occurring in 1908; he possessed considerable property. James also lived in England, where he engaged in farming and kept a tavern. Alfred, who came to America with his brother William, was killed in a landslide which occurred during the construction of the Catawissa railroad. Edward was the father of W. T. Shepperson. There were also two daughters, Anna, who married a Mr. Walker and lived in England; and Mary; who married John Newham, an engineer, and came to America. Edward Shepperson was born in England in 1830, and his wife, Jane, was born in that country in 1834. They were married in England and came to America in 1865, locating in Danville, Pa., and some years later moved to Riverside. Mrs. Shepperson died in Riverside in 1877. They were the parents of the following children: Two sons died young; Edward Oliver lives in Denver, Cola., whither he went in 1878, and is engaged as a railroad engineer and interested in mining; Annie died in Denver, Cola.; Lucy died in 1900 at Danville, Pa.; Jennie married David Seely, express agent at Sterling, Ill.; W. T. is a resident of Riverside; Edward was a contractor and worked in Danville, Pa., until 1878, when he went out to Denver, Cola., where he died. W. T. Shepperson came to America with his parents in 1865, and passed his boyhood in Danville, Pa., being about fifteen years old when the family, removed thence to Riverside. His education was received in the public schools, principally at Danville. Going South he located at Middleburg, Ky., where he was general manager for the S. Bailey Lumber Company until his return to Riverside. He has since made his home in that borough, where he has been prominently identified with business and public affairs, having long been engaged as an extensive dealer in lumber, and for some years he also dealt in coal in large quantities, though at present he handles that commodity only as a side line. He handles railroad ties, mine timber, prop timber and bark, and has a wide patronage, having built up a profitable trade in those lines by the exercise of his business acumen and ability, which are recognized by all who have been associated with him. The respect which he commands in his hometown could be no better shown than by the fact that he has been called upon to serve so many years continuously as burgess, the present (1910) being his tenth year of service in that capacity. He is a member of the Improved Order of Heptasopha, and for many years has belonged to the Methodist church., Mr. Shepperson married Cora M. Bent, daughter of Charles and Harriet (Francis) Bent, and sister of W. R. Bent of Riverside. They had a family of three children: Charles E., who is employed by his father, married Jennie Cuthbert, daughter of Martin Cuthbert, and they have had two children, William T. and Irene; Mabel M. and Cora M. are at home, occupying with their father a beautiful home in the borough of Riverside. Mrs. Shepperson died in 1907. CHARLES LINCOLN CLEAVER, publisher of the Mount Carmel Daily News, first saw the light of day on May 3, 1861, in Locust township Columbia Co., Pa. He is an admixture of Scotch Irish, English Quaker, Holland Dutch and English, the first two from the paternal side, and the latter two from the maternal, and of nearly two centuries of American growth. He grew up on the farm and received his education in the public schools, the Bloomsburg State Normal school, the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, and the Dickinson Law School at Scranton. On Sept. 1, 1881, he married Mary Jane Perry, a descendant of the Commodore, and came to Mount Carmel in August, 1884. He taught public school for sixteen years, and purchased the Daily News in 1899. In politics Mr. Cleaver is a Republican with independent tendencies, having served two years as chairman of END OF PAGE 203 the Republican county committee and one year as chairman of the county committee of the Lincoln party. Fraternally Mr. Cleaver is a member of the P.O.S. of A., Camp No. 231; I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 630; O. of I.A., Council No. 874; Sons of Veterans, Camp No. 34; Royal Arcanum, Council No. 1130; Knights of Malta, Commandery No. 22; Princes of Bagdad, No. 77; Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 378, F. & A.M.; Williamsport Consistory, thirty-second degree; and Rajah Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Reading, Pennsylvania. Mr. Cleaver is an aggressive newspaper man, a fluent writer, sometimes with a vitriolic pen, and fearless of any special interests, having a reputation for hewing to the line for what he considers the paramount interests of the community he serves. Under his direction the business interests of his publication house have grown to large proportions, and it appears to be in every way a prosperous organization. Wesley Nelson Cleaver, son of the publisher, is editor and general manager of the publication business. HARRY F. G. NEY has been a resident of Lower Augusta township for the past forty years, having settled there in 1871. He has followed farming the greater part of that time, and for over a quarter of a century carried on the store and served as postmaster at the settlement locally known as Patricksburg. The postoffice was discontinued in 1899, the store in 1904. Mr. Ney belongs to an old, family whose first ancestor in America, Valentine Ney, lived in the Tulpehocken Valley in Berks county. He died in 1790 in Tulpehocken township, Berks county, and his last will and testament, written in German, is on record in the Berks county courthouse. His wife, Anna Catharine, survived him, and his youngest son, Sylvester "Nye" was the executor of the will, which names four sons: George, Valentine, Jacob and Sylvester. One of these settled in Lebanon county, Pa., and was the father of Adam Ney, from whom Harry F. G. Ney, of Northumberland county, is descended. Adam Ney had two sons of whom we have record, Adam and Samuel, another son whose name is not recalled, and a daughter, Mary, who became the second wife of David Hummel, of Hummelstown, Dauphin Co., Pa. David Hummel was married three times, his first wife's maiden name being Hess, and his third wife being Polly Haines. To his second marriage were born ten children, one of whom was William N. Hummel, now a resident of Herndon, this county. Adam Ney, Jr., lived two miles to the left of Palmyra, in Lebanon county, and is buried near Palmyra. By trade he was a shoemaker. His children were: Adam, a shoemaker, who in his earlier life lived on the premises occupied by his father, later moving to Lickdale, Lebanon county, where he followed farming as well as shoemaking (he had one son and one daughter, William and Annie); and Joseph, who lived and died near Palmyra (he had a son Joseph, who lives at Progress, Dauphin county, near Harrisburg). Samuel Ney, son of Adam and brother of Adam, Jr., lived for some years at Palmyra, Pa., and then settled in Stony Creek Valley, in Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county, where he died at the age of seventy- seven years. He is buried in the Dauphin cemetery. He was a cooper, and followed his trade, and he owned a ten-acre property on which he had a nice home. This place was later owned by his son William, who eventually sold it and now lives east of Dauphin in the Stony Creek Valley; his postoffice address is Dauphin. Samuel Ney's children were: Joel; Samuel; William; Luzetta, who married Thomas Yautz and lived in Middle Paxton township, later moving to Halifax township, Dauphin county; Lydia, Mrs. Ritter, who moved with her husband to Oregon,, where they died; and Caroline, Mrs. Caton, who lived in Middle Paxton township, Mrs. Caton moving to Matamoras after her husband's death. Joel Ney, son of Samuel, was born March 17, 1820, at Palmyra, Pa., and was a boy when he moved to Dauphin county, where he passed the remainder of his long, life,, dying March 21, 1900. He is buried in Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county, where he had lived on a farm for many years, having the tract of 140 acres now owned by his son-in-law, J. H. Bickel. He was a successful farmer, and also acquired the property later owned by his son Amos. He served the community as tax collector for some years, and in his earlier days was active in the work of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a Republican. His wife, Mary (Gayman), daughter of Jacob Gayman, was born May 6, 1821, and died Dec. 24, 1896. She is buried by her husband's side. Four sons and one daughter were born to this couple: Amos (deceased), who lived in Middle Paxton township, where he followed farming; Harry E. G.; John (deceased), who lived on one of the farms of his brother Amos; Catharine, wife of John H. Bickel; and Lewis, who lives at Pennbrook, Pa., near Harrisburg. Harry E. G. Ney was born Dec. 25, 1848, in Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county, and was reared to farming, working for his parents until he began on his own account. In 1871 he came to Northumberland county, settled in Lower Augusta township, where he married and made a permanent home. From 1871 to 1874 he was employed as a switchman on the Northern Central railroad, at Selinsgrove, and after his marriage, which took place in 1875, he entered upon the mercantile business at Fisher's Ferry, where he was located for three years. In 1877 he opened a store at the country village locally known as Patricksburg (so called after an old-time schoolmaster named Pat- END OF PAGE 204 rick), and he conducted that establishment for twenty-seven years, doing a general mercantile business. He sold out in 1904, and there has been no store at the place since. The postoffice at Patricksburg was established about 1891 and Mr. Ney became postmaster in 1894, serving until the office was discontinued, in 1899. He continues to reside at Patricksburg, owning the tract of sixteen acres upon which his home is located, as well as the seventy-two-acre farm (also in Lower Augusta township) where his son S. Nelson G. Ney lives. The property he occupies has been improved by him, and the frame dwelling now standing there was erected by him in 1877. The place formerly belonged to John Snyder. There are few men in this section of the county better known than Mr. Ney. In his various business connections he became known to a wide circle, and as township treasurer and supervisor he gave most efficient public service, proving himself a capable and trust-worthy official. He is a Republican in politics. In 1875 Mr. Ney married Malinda Coldren, and they have had three children: Mary L. married W. E. Evert and they live at Fisher's Ferry; Ellen C. died in infancy; S. Nelson G., a farmer in Lower Augusta township, married Mary Eister, daughter of Henry Eister, and they have had two children, Harry and Ethel. Mr. Ney and his family attend the Baptist Church. Solomon Coldren, Mrs. Ney's grandfather, was born Feb. 17, 1779, came to this county from Snyder county, Pa., and died March 31, 1843; he is buried at Fisher's Ferry. He was a farmer, owning the farm now in the possession of Henry Smith. To him and his wife Elizabeth (Minnier) were born the following children: Sarah, Mary, Harriet Jane, Lydia (who died young), Isaac, John, Jacob, Peter, Samuel, David, and James (1831-1899). Peter Coldren, son of Solomon, was born Aug. 9, 1821, in Lower Augusta township, and there passed his entire life. He followed agricultural pursuits, owning the farm of eighty-seven acres now owned by Jefferson Lenig, who bought it from Harry E. G. Key (Mr. Coldren's son-in-law). Mr. Coldren was a Democrat in politics, and served his township as school director. He and his wife were Baptists, their family adhering to the same denomination. Mr. Coldren died Nov. 13, 1898, and is buried in the Baptist cemetery in Lower Augusta township. His wife, Louisa (Feaster), daughter of Henry and Margaret (Cornell) Feaster, was born Nov. 14, 1828, and died May 3, 1909. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coldren, three of whom died young, the others being: Malinda, wife of Harry E.G. Ney; Silas, of Millersburg, Pa., who has been a track foreman on the railroad for twenty-four years; Ellen, wife of C. F. Dyer, of Shamokin; W. M., a miller, of Catasaqua, Pa.; E. Y. B., of Millersburg, who is associated with his son in the mercantile business there; J. C., a carpenter, of Shamokin; and C. D., a machinist, of Philadelphia. HENRY A. CARL, who has a fine farm one and a half miles south of Herndon, Northumberland county, was born March 23, 1850, at Mandata, this county, son of John and Julian (Klinger) Carl. The Carl (Corl) family is first found in Longswamp township, Berks Co., Pa., Theobald Carl, a pioneer of that township, being the first ancestor of this family in America. He died in 1800, and his will, written in German, is on record in Will Book A, page 422, in the Berks county courthouse. The document mentions his mother and provides for her, and he also makes good provision for his wife, Anna Maria. He had a deceased daughter, Elizabeth, and his son George Carl and Samuel Butz were executors of the will, which disposed of a large estate. The Federal Census Report of 1796 gives George Carl as the head of a family in Longswamp township, Berks county, consisting of a wife, three sons under sixteen years of age, and two daughters. The same Report records Dewalt Carl as a resident of the same township and the head of a family consisting of two sons over sixteen, a wife and three daughters. As Dewalt was used as the English form of Theobald this may refer to the ancestor's family. The will of a John Carl, who died in Pike township, Berks county, in 1837, was made April 9, 1836, and mentions the wife Hannah but no children. Johan Jacob Carl, grandfather of Henry A. Carl, was born April 21, 1796, and was a descendant of one of the two heads of families mentioned above. He came from Longswamp township, Berks county, to Northumberland county early in the nineteenth century, settling in Mahanoy township, and lived on the farm now owned by Galen Bower (one George Wolf owned it earlier). He was a farmer by occupation, and is described as a slim, medium-sized man, with light hair. He died in May, 1862, aged sixty-six years, ten days, and is buried at Urban Church. His wife's maiden name was Schaffer, and their children were John, William and several daughters. John Carl, father of Henry A. Carl, was born Feb. 18, 1818, and died July 21, 1854; he was a member of the Mahanoy Church, where he is buried. For some years he kept store at Mandata, later keeping a store where Daniel Peiffer is now located, and there he died. His wife Julian (Klinger,) bore him three sons, William, John and Henry A. After his death she married Jacob Freymoyer and moved with him out to Iowa, where he died at the age of eighty-one years. She died March 19, 1904. She was the mother of four END OF PAGE 205 children by her second marriage, Jane, James, Alice, and one daughter that died young. Henry A. Carl began working at an early age, finding his first employment at what was known a as the Albert sawmill on Fidler's run, in Jackson township, and there he was engaged for the long a period of thirty-six years. After Christopher Albert gave up the mill he worked under Mr. Brower and later with Mr. Rickert and during this time he made his home in Lower Mahanoy township with the exception of two and a half years during which the family resided at Herndon. About 1873 he built a house in Lower Mahanoy township which he occupied until the spring of 1896, at which time he commenced farming in the same township, on the place where he has since had his home. It is a tract of 164 acres one and one half miles south of Herndon, formerly the property of Sebastian Stepp. The land is in a good state of cultivation, and the buildings are substantial. Mr. Carl has been industrious and thrifty, and he is making a good living. He is a Democrat, has held local office, and is a member of the Lutheran congregation of the Herndon Church, with which his family also unite. On May 29, 1870, Mr. Carl married Rebecca Kobel, daughter of George and Catharine (Snyder) Kobel, of Pitman; Schuylkill Co., Pa., and they have had a family of thirteen children: William G. E., who is now in Iowa; S. Calvin, of Carrizozo, N. M.; Charles H., of Illinois; Minnie M., who married Harry Kramer; Katie A., who married George Hoover; Monroe, who died in infancy; John W., Clarence E. and Quincy J., all of Stillwater, N. Y.; Clyde A. and James F., at home; Mary F. R., who is married to Howard Lenker, son of Adam Lenker; and Violet, who died in infancy. The Kobel Family is one of the earliest settled families of lower Northumberland County, the tax list of Mahanoy township for 1778 containing the names of Abraham, Casper, Henry and Daniel Kobel, whose relationship is uncertain. Their descendants still live in Jackson, Washington and Little Mahanoy townships. They were members of the Reformed Church, and a number of the name are buried at St. Peters (Mahanoy) Church in Jackson township. Frederick, Simon and Peter Kobel were brothers, and the first named was the grandfather of Mrs. Henry A. Carl. Frederick Kobel, born June 8, 1761, lived and died in Jackson township, where he was a farmer and land owner. His wife Sostern (the name is not really legible on the tombstone), was born April 9, 1765, and died Dec. 14, 1848. He died May 11, 1834 (age given as seventy two), and they are buried at St. Peter's Church before mentioned. Among their children were: Mary Tailor, William, Rebecca Snyder, Catharine Miller, George and Henry. George Kobel, son of Frederick, married Catharine Snyder, and they lived at Pitman, Schuylkill county, where they were farming people. They are buried at the Haas Church, at Hepler, that county. Their children were: Elias, Isaac, Frank, Sarah, Rebecca (Mrs. Carl) and Harriet. Simon Kobel, brother of Frederick, was born in the territory now embraced in Washington Township, Northumberland County, the farm where he was born and which belonged to his father, being still pointed out as the old Kobel homestead. It is now owned by Samuel Kieffer. The place comprises 100 acres, originally taken up by a member of the Kobel family in pioneer days. Simon Kobel followed farming. His wife, Sarah (Sally) Engel, daughter of Felix Engel, was like himself a member of the Reformed congregation at St. Peter's Church. They had children as follows: John, who settled in Jefferson County, Pa.; Daniel and Joseph, Lena, who married Adam Drumheller; Polly, who married John Lebo; and Elizabeth, who married Henry Latsha. Daniel Kobel, son of Simon, was born in 1829 and was a lifelong farmer. Until 1887 he lived near the homestead, his son Elias succeeding him to its ownership in that year. He died in September, 1903, and is buried at St Peter's Church, of which he was a Reformed member. Politically he was a Democrat. To him and his wife Elizabeth Kerstetter, who was born Jan. 11, 1838, were born four children: Louisa, who married John Daniel; Abby, who died young; Cassie, who married Samuel Reed; and Elias K. Elias K. Kobel, son of Daniel, was born in 1865 in Washington township, and in 1904 commenced farming for himself in that township, where he lived until 1910. In the fall of 1901 he sold his farm of eighty acres, which was formerly the Samuel Malick farm; a large stone house was built on the place in 1818. He married Sarah C. Hoffman, and they have had eight children, five of whom died young: A daughter that died in infancy, Charles, Harvey, Eva May, Carrie E., Frederick, a son that died in infancy, and William B. Joseph Kobel, son of Simon, was born June 13, 1837 (or 1838), and died March 19, 1889. He was a prosperous farmer and miller, owning 240 acres of land, and for nine years operated the Dornsife mill, his son Henry W. succeeding him in the milling business after his death. In politics he was a Democrat, served as tax collector, and was an active member of the Reformed congregation of St. Peter's Church, which he served as deacon and elder. His wife Wilhelmina (Eister), born Oct. 2, 1834, died Nov. 15, 1903. They had five children: Sarah married Oliver Buchner; James R. is a resident of Washington township; John died when END OF PAGE 206 eighteen years old; Edwin S. is of Mahanoy; Henry W., born in Washington township Aug. 25, 1867, is a farmer, owning 113 acres of land, and has been a deacon and an elder of Himmel's Church (in 1889 he married Lovina Treon, and they have had two children, Jennie and Samuel, the latter dying when three years old). JOHN SCHABO, a former treasurer of Northumberland county, who was living retired at Shamokin, that county, at the time of his death, Sept. 16, 1910, was born in Germany March 26, 1841, at Fahren, in Trier, son of John Schabo and his first wife, who in maidenhood was Eva Ott. John Schabo, the father, was a farmer in Germany. He came to America in 1853, permanently locating in Carbon county, Pa., where he purchased a farm, cultivating his lands until the time of his death, in the year 1868. He was honorable and successful; he made friends and kept them. He was twice married, his first union being with Eva Ott, who died in Germany, the mother of two children, Annie and John. His second wife was Annie Karies, and they were also married in Germany, but their children were all born in Carbon county, Pa., viz.: Peter and Paul, both deceased; Maggie, wife of Amandus S. Markle, of Shamokin, Pa.; and Katie, wife of Jonas Gerber, of Weatherly, Pennsylvania. John Schabo, first named in this narrative, when but a lad engaged as a boatman on the Lehigh canal, and this kind of work he pursued, in all the various capacities, until he was thirty years of age. In 1871 he located at Weissport, Carbon Co., Pa., and engaged in the hotel business, and to this he gave his attention until 1875, when he went to Shamokin, PA., and established the "Shamokin Hotel," which he successfully conducted until 1907. He then retired from business life and took possession of his pleasant home at No. 226 Walnut street erected by him in 1890. The homestead farm, the farm of his father, comprising sixty-five acres situated in Towamensing township, Carbon Co., Pa., and about six miles from Weissport became his property. In politics a Democrat, Mr. Schabo was in 1884 elected to the borough council; was chief of the fire department from 1883 to 1889; and in 1890 was elected county treasurer for a term of three years. The campaign of 1890 was a memorable one, and though the contestants seemed equally reputable and well known Mr. Schabo was elected over his adversary by a majority of 429 votes. In the year 1883, Mr. Schabo was made a director of the First National Bank of Shamokin, now the National Bank of Shamokin, and continued to be a member of the board during the rest of his life; he was also a director of the Shamokin Building and Loan Association; the Shamokin Street Railway Company; and served as treasurer of the Shamokin Driving Park Association. Fraternally he was a member of Elks Lodge No. 355. Mr. Schabo was married Feb. 12, 1862, to Eva Schweibenz (a daughter of Alyons Schweibenz), born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Feb. 14, 1838. They had two children: John W. (who married Emma Armbuster, and has had two children, John Edward, who married May Hower, and Harry, deceased) and Annie E., the latter a young lady at home. His creed was that of the Roman Catholic Church, to which his family also adhere, and they worship at the St. Edward's shrine. C. EDWARD ALLISON, M. D., of Elysburg, Northumberland county, has been practicing medicine at that place for over ten years, and has a large patronage, having been successful from the time of his settlement in this district. He is a native of Adams county, Pa., born May 17, 1871, at Gettysburg. The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, James Allison, the first of this line to come to America, having emigrated from Ireland or Scotland. It is not known where he settled, but his son Francis lived in Frederick county, Md., about five miles east of Emmitsburg. Thence he moved to Adams county, Pa. His wife, Ruth Thompson, was also of Scotch-Irish descent. Francis Allison, son of Francis, was born in June, 1794, in Adams county, Pa., and there lived and died. All his family were born and reared there. He became a landowner and farmer in Mount Joy township, Adams Co., Pa., near the Mason and Dixon line. He married Hannah Mieksell, who was born near Emmitsburg, Md., and was of German descent; her mother's maiden name was Catharine Rudolph. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Allison are buried in the Mount Joy Lutheran churchyard. Their children were: Jonathan L., of Taneytown, Md.; Samuel M.; Mary A., who married Amos Yeatts, and died in Carlisle, Pa.; Sarah, who married William Lightner; Catherine, who married Samuel D. Reck; and Martha, who died when twenty years old. Samuel M. Allison, son of Francis, was born in Mount Joy township, Adams county, and followed agricultural pursuits for a number of years, living first upon the homestead and later buying a farm near Gettysburg which he occupied for some time. He now lives in the town of Gettysburg. He married Anna M. Schwartz, daughter of Jacob Schwartz, and they had the following children: C. Edward; Herbert A., who is a professor at Susquehanna College, Selinsgrove, Pa.; and Cordelia. C. Edward Allison received his literary education in the public schools and at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, graduating from that institution in 1893, with the degree of A. B. Following his college course he spent some time in Kansas and Oklahoma, and upon his return from the West END OF PAGE 207 was engaged in teaching for one year. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, later continuing his medical studies at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1899. His first year of independent practice was spent at Jeddo, Luzerne Co., Pa., after which he was at Mount Carmel, Northumberland county, a short time before locating at Elysburg, in September, 1900. There he succeeded to the practice of the late Dr. Samuel F. Gilbert, who died in August, 1900, and who was a prominent physician there for twenty-five years. Dr. Allison has been popular at Elysburg throughout the period of his residence there, and though a busy man professionally he has endeavored to be a useful member of the community in other ways. He is serving as road supervisor of Ralpho township at the present time. Dr. Allison is a thirty-second-degree Mason, belonging to Elysburg Lodge, No. 414, F. & A.M. (of which he is a past master), and to Bloomsburg Consistory (thirty-second degree). He also holds membership in the I.O.O.F., and in professional connection is a member of the Northumberland County Medical Society, etc. He is a Republican in political sentiment. His ancestors have been Lutherans and Presbyterians as far back as they have been traced. On Sept. 5, 1907, Dr. Allison married Amy E. Gilbert, daughter of the late Dr. Samuel F. Gilbert. JOHN G. YOUNGMAN. The Youngmans have been identified with Sunbury for almost a century, and throughout that period have been noted for intellectual activity. Their leadership in such matters was acknowledged during their long connection with the newspaper circles of this section, with which they were prominently associated continuously for over seventy years. They are descendants of a Moravian family that emigrated from Lusatia, Prussia, in 1740, settling at Bethlehem, Pa. John G. Youngman, the first of the Youngman name in Sunbury, was born Jan. 6, 1786 near Hummelstown, Dauphin Co., Pa., son of Jacob Youngman, a blacksmith and farmer, and son of Rev. John George Youngman, a Moravian missionary to the Indians, who died at Bethlehem in 1808, at the age of eighty-eight. When he was eight years old John G. Youngman was adopted by his uncle, Gottlieb Youngman, a veteran of the Revolutionary war, who established the first German newspaper in Berks county, this State. It was called The Impartial Reading Newspaper and was first issued Feb. 18, 1789, being published until 1816. Gottlieb Youngman died June 10, 1833, at Louisville, Ky., when seventy-six years old. His nephew had acquired a thorough knowledge of the printing business under his tuition so that he was versed in the mechanical as well as the business and intellectual features of newspaper work, and he always took great delight in typesetting, at which he worked in the composing room of the Sunbury Gazette until within a few months of his death. In 1802, having had a misunderstanding with his uncle, Mr. Youngman left him and walked to Somerset county, where he found employment at his trade with a Mr. Ogle. Four years later he took a position on the Hornet, at Frederick, Md., and in 1807 he was connected with the Times, one of the first daily papers of Baltimore. Thence he went to Hagerstown, Md., where he found work with John Gruber, the well known almanac publisher. Returning to Reading in 1812, he obtained the necessary equipment from his uncle and came to Sunbury to establish Der Northumberland Republikaner, a German paper, which was the third paper published at Sunbury. The first number appeared Aug. 12, 1812, and as shown by the files in existence, from Aug. 11, 1815, to January 1818, was a three-column folio, fourteen inches long and nine inches wide, creditable in typography and composition. In 1818 the name was changed to Nordwestliche Post, which supported Findlay in the gubernatorial contest of 1820 and thus lost its large number of German subscribers, who were almost unanimously in favor of Hiester. It was really as a result of this disaffection that Mr. Youngman suspended the paper, though he continued it until after July, 1827. For several years thereafter he gave his attention to the printing of books and pamphlets. It was not long, however, until Mr. Youngman resumed newspaper work as publisher of the Canalboot, which was established with the idea of promoting local enterprises of a public nature, at the height of the popular agitation in favor of internal improvements then in progress. The issue of March 5, 1831, shows it to have been a folio fifteen and a half inches long and eleven inches wide, a canalboat on the headline of the first page. The paper was issued under this name until 1833. Its immediate successor was The Workingmen's Advocate a four-column folio eleven by sixteen inches in dimensions, the first English newspaper published by Mr. Youngman. The first issue appeared April 29, 1833, and in it the editor announced that it would be Democratic in politics, reserving to himself, however, the right of differing from party conventions as to what platforms or candidates were really Democratic, should occasion require. It was a successful publication throughout its existence (which ended in 1838), a fact which is notable, as several rival papers at Sunbury and Northumberland suspended (during that period. In 1838 Mr. Youngman established the Sunbury Gazette, under the imposing title of The Sunbury Gazette and Miners' Register, and the issue of Jan. 7, 1843, when it still bore that END OF PAGE 208 name, was a five-column folio twenty-one and a half by thirteen inches. When Mr. Youngman established the Republikaner, in 1812, he did business in a small frame building on the north side of Market street, at what was later the site of Rippel's photograph gallery. When he purchased the property at Third and Arch streets he removed the printing office to a frame structure adjoining his residence and facing on Arch street. It was next located in a wooden building on what was subsequently the site of the Dewart block, at Market and Third streets, being there from 1847 to 1850, when it was moved to the north side of Market street, nearly opposite the "City Hotel." There the Gazette was published at the time of its suspension, in 1883, though it had occupied several different places in the meantime, the principal one being the second story of the Geyer block, at the northeast corner of Market square, to which it was removed in 1868. Mr. Youngman was not only actively connected with the press in Sunbury for over fifty years, but he also took a leading part in public affairs in Northumberland county, holding several responsible offices. In 1814 he served as county treasurer, in 1818-21 as county commissioner; and on Feb. 5, 1839, he received his commission as register and recorder, being elected to succeed himself in the fall of that year; he was thus the last person elected and the first one appointed to that office in Northumberland county. He died Sept. 13, 1871, at the age of eighty-five years. On Aug. 1, 1813, Mr. Youngman married Catharine Bright daughter of George Bright of Sunbury, and step-daughter of Hon. Andrew Albright, and they were the parents of George B., William, Louisa Hester, Andrew A., Jacob, Susan E. and John. GEORGE B. YOUNGMAN learned the printing business with his father and it was principally through his efforts that the Gazette was founded, he having been the junior member of the firm of John G. Youngman & Son from 1838 until 1855. Upon his retirement from the paper he devoted himself to fruit and grape culture on a farm several miles east of Sunbury, continuing his business successfully until his death, April 9, 1880, at the age of sixty-six years. He served is treasurer of Northumberland county in 1850-51. After George B. Youngman's retirement front he Gazette he was succeeded by his brother, A. A. Youngman, upon whom much of the responsibility in connection with the paper devolved. The style of the firm then became A. A. & John Youngman, the latter being another son of the founder, and they carried on the Gazette until it was consolidated with the American, on April l1, 1879, as the Gazette-American. A year later, however, the publication of the Gazette, alone, was resumed by A. A. & John Youngman and continued for a few years, the last issue appearing March 16, 1883. This number gave a review of the political policy of the paper, in which it is stated that the Gazette was one of the four Democratic organs in Pennsylvania that came "out boldly in favor of the national administration as against the Rebel cause" in 1861, yet although it was constrained "to protest against certain tendencies and methods in the management of the Republican party" on several occasions, it could not be said "that the Gazette ever went back on the principles of that great political organization." ANDREW A. YOUNGMAN, after closing his newspaper career, continued to reside in the old home at Third and Arch streets, Sunbury, until his death, which occurred on Dec. 2, 1905, at the age of eighty-four. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, having been of a studious disposition, making himself well versed in various branches of knowledge; but being of a retiring nature the extent of his information was known and appreciated only by those who came into intimate intercourse with him. During the years after his retirement from the printing business he was a constant reader, giving his attention largely to scientific subjects, of which meteorology was his favorite. The result of his reflections and observations on that subject is contained in a large manuscript volume which would furnish material for a printed book of ample dimensions. JOHN YOUNGMAN, the youngest child of John G. Youngman, and the last editor of the Gazette, received most of his education in his father's printing office, where he learned to "set type" and made his first efforts in writing. With the object of changing his business he read law with Hon. John B. Packer and was admitted to the Northumberland county bar at the August term in 1851, but soon discovering that he was better adapted for newspaper work than law practice he dropped the latter and took charge of the Gazette as its editor in 1855. In this capacity he continued until the publication of that paper ceased in 1883, when he left Sunbury to engage in journalism in other localities. He did editorial work on the Harrisburg Patriot for two years, was engaged for five years as editorial writer for P. Gray Meek's Bellefonte Watchman, and then going to Philadelphia found employment on the Times and Record and was editor of the Evening Herald for four years. Having been in Philadelphia journalism for fourteen years he returned to Sunbury in 1904 at the age of seventy-four, and again did some newspaper work in his native town. WILLIAM YOUNGMAN, the second son of John G. Youngman, learned the cabinetmaking business and was noted for his skill in that handicraft. He carried this on for some years in Sunbury, but at the close of his life he was employed in the Sun- END OF PAGE 209 bury shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., doing the finer woodwork needed in that establishment. He was well skilled in music and in his younger years was at the head of musical movements in his neighborhood, he having been the organizer and leader of the first instrumental band in Sunbury, and he was for a long while the leader of Sunbury's Episcopal Church choir. He was married to Henrietta, and after her demise to Susan, who were daughters of Dr. John B. Price, of Sunbury, a noted physician of that period who, besides having a thorough medical education, was a graduate of Princeton University. By his two marriages William Youngman had a numerous progeny. LOUISA HESTER YOUNGMAN, the first daughter of John G, Youngman, was noted for her beauty as a young woman and for her excellent traits of womanly character, among which her charitable disposition, and the assistance she gave to the needy and suffering, were conspicuous. Her voice was such that if it had received more cultivation it would have made her a star singer. It was the delight of those who heard her in the choir at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church of Sunbury, in which she was the leading soprano for a number of years; she was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church. She died unmarried in 1892. JACOB YOUNGMAN, the fourth son of John G. Youngman, learned typesetting in his father's printing office, where he became proficient in the various branches of the printer's art. After "graduating" in that school he did journal work in Pottsville, Washington and Philadelphia, eventually returning to Sunbury, where he continued to work at printing and also engaged in other business. Application to one pursuit was all that was necessary to have made him a decided success, as he was an expert printer and a ready writer, particularly in a humorous vein, some of his productions in that line having been much admired, and he was noted as a comic versifier. He branched off from printing to engage in the foundry business, an enterprise that was entirely out of his line, and consequently was not successful; and he devised a number of ingenious inventions, some of which were patented but never pushed to profitable results. His last years were spent in working in the different Sunbury printing offices. He died in 1892, at the age of sixty-eight years. SUSAN ELIZABETH YOUNGMAN, the second daughter of John G. Youngman, was born Jan. 20, 1828, in the old homestead at the southwest corner of Third and Arch streets, Sunbury, where she and her brother John reside, together with their niece, Miss Carrie V. Youngman. Though in her eighty-fourth year she is well preserved, as active intellectually as ever, takes great enjoyment in reading, and has been a lifelong and much interested member of the Episcopal Church, liberally contributing to its support. Her first marriage was with Francis Bright, of Reading, Pa., who engaged largely and successfully in the hardware and foundry business in Tamaqua and Hazleton. He died at the latter place Aug. 28, 1865, and his remains are interred in Pomfret Manor cemetery. Her second marriage, which took place in 1881, was to Bruce Small, who was a native of Baltimore, Md., and a son of Hon. Jacob Small, a man of public note and prominence, who served at one time as mayor of Baltimore. The Smalls have long occupied a prominent position in public and social circles. The family of this name in York county, Pa., is of the same stock. Bruce Small was born in 1834, and received his literary training in various educational institutions. During the Civil war he served in the United States navy on the frigate "Potomac" and was very active. While in the service he was a comrade of Winfield Scott Schley (now rear admiral), with whom he was long on terms of personal friendship. After the war Mr. Small was for many years in the Government employ at Washington, D. C., subsequently coming to Sunbury. He died March 18, 1890, at his Sunbury residence, and rests in the family vault in St. Paul's cemetery, Baltimore. Only three of John G. Youngman's seven children married, they being William, Susan and John, and but one of them, William, produced a progeny as future representatives of Sunbury's first printer. The children of William and his first wife, Henrietta Price, were: John P., William Edgar, Christianna Guild and Henrietta Rose, besides several who died in infancy. His children by his second marriage, to Mrs. Susan (Price) Sutton, were: Mary Isabella and Caroline Vandergrift. John, the eldest son, now deceased, became a resident of Hazleton, married Ann Bird, of that town, and was the father of two sons, one of whom died at an early age, the survivor being John Price Bird Youngman, a prominent civil and mining engineer of that region, who is the father of an interesting family. Christianna Guild, the eldest daughter of William, is the wife of Rufus Reber, who is prominent in the clerical department of the Reading Railroad Company in Philadelphia, and she is the mother of Mrs. Andrew Chidsey, wife of a leading Easton banker, and of Frank Reber of Philadelphia and Guy Reber of Savannah, Ga. William Edgar, the second son of William, who also became a resident of Hazleton, married Julia Shapley, of that place, and was the father of Barton Edgar Youngman, who is city engineer and conspicuous in the municipal affairs of Hazleton; he also has a fine family. Henrietta Rose, the youngest daughter of William by his first wife, married Clarence Hawthorne, and is the mother of an interesting daughter, Frances, this family being residents of Sunbury, where Mr. END OF PAGE 210 Hawthorne is connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Of William Youngman's two children by his second marriage, Mary Isabella is the wife of William Coleman, a progressive and prosperous Kansas granger, and is the mother of an accomplished daughter and a stalwart son; and Caroline Vandergrift, familiarly known in Sunbury as Miss Carrie Youngman, resides with her aunt Mrs. Small, in the old Youngman homestead, and takes a leading part in the literary and church work of Sunbury. Great changes have taken place in Sunbury since John G. Youngman, at the beginning of the last century, began journalism in the town. There has been a great increase in its population, its business and its importance. Other newspapers have taken the place of those established by the elder Youngman, and of his descendants but few are residents of the town, but the progeny of Sunbury's veteran printer may be found in many parts of this nation's broad domain. THEODORE CHESTER, now a retired resident of Sunbury, is a well known man in that borough, where he was engaged in the hotel business for a number of years, having formerly conducted the "St. Charles Hotel," which his sons now own. He was born Sept. 27, 1844, in Barry township, Schuylkill Co., Pa., only son of John Chester, who lived at Danville, Pa., where he was the first maker of cast iron plows. His plows were used extensively all over Pennsylvania. He went West about 1851. John Chester married Matilda Yarnall, who came from Schuylkill county, Pa., and was a member of a Quaker family which was earlier settled in Maiden-creek township, Berks county. Mrs. Chester is interred in a private burial ground on the homestead. Her father, Elijah Yarnall, lived in Schuylkill county. Theodore Chester was brought up by his maternal grandfather Elijah Yarnall, attended the public schools of the home neighborhood in Schuylkill county, and later went to school at Rushtown and in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county, in the neighborhood now known as Plum Creek. In his eighteenth year he began clerking in a general store in what is now Rockefeller township, and drove a produce wagon to market in Schuylkill county, during the "reign of terror" of the Molly Maguires. He and Nathan Baker were in the butter and egg business for three years at Lewisburg, Pa. He also learned the trade of watchmaker, which he followed for fifteen years at Northumberland, this county, also traveling considerably in the rural districts all over Union county and in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, repairing grandfather clocks, in which line he was quite expert. He was a natural-born mechanic, and has always had a liking as well as talent for such work, even to this day occasionally repairing timepieces for the pleasure the work affords. For twelve years he conducted the "St. Charles Hotel" in Sunbury, being succeeded in the ownership of that establishment by his sons Herbert C. and Nathan W. Chester, who now conduct it. Though now retired, Mr. Chester still retains some business interests, having large real estate holdings in Sunbury, and investments in certain patented automobile tires. He is a substantial citizen, and has lived to enjoy the rewards of his more active years. On June 4, 1864, Mr. Chester married Louise Wolf, daughter of Abraham Wolf, and to them have been born nine children: Herbert C., Emma A. (deceased), Wilson, Nathan Wellington, Samuel (deceased), Asburry, Bessie (Mrs. Herbert A. Welker), Jennie (Mrs. Jacob Bright) and Annie (unmarried). There are sixteen grandchildren. The family have occupied their pleasant home at the corner of Tenth and Market streets, Sunbury, since 1902. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Chester is a Republican in political matters, but he has never taken any part in public affairs and has always refused to hold public position. He is a popular member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 22, F. & A.M.; Northumberland Chapter, No. 174, R.A.M.; Mount Hermon Commandery, No. 85, K.T. all of Sunbury; and Irem Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Wilkes-Barre. He is treasurer of the blue lodge and chapter, a past eminent commander and past high priest, and has been active in the fraternity for many years. During the Civil war Mr. Chester enlisted, in 1862, in Company C, 136th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for nine months, and took part in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The Yarnall (Yarnell) family, to which Mr. Chester is related on the maternal side, is of old English Quaker stock, Francis and Peter Yarnall having come from their native land with the Hugheses, Boones, Penroses, Kirbys and Lightfoots, and settled in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa. They were of the fifty or more families who had been left out when the township was erected. The people to the "south part of Oley" therefore petitioned the court of Philadelphia, in 1741, to erect that part into a township. The petition was granted. Among the sixteen signers to this petition were Francis and Peter Yarnell. In Northumberland county a member of this same family, Richard Yarnall, was the second settler at Mount Carmel. His father, Jesse Yarnall, kept a hotel on the old Minersville road, at the crossing of Mahanoy creek, near Otto's forge, Schuylkill county, about four miles south of Mount Carmel. An Indian path which led from the vicinity of Roaring Creek township, Columbia county, END OF PAGE 211 to his hotel is referred to in the early official records of Northumberland county as "Yarnall's path." He married Hannah Penrose, of Roaring Creek township, whose people, like his, came from Maiden-reek township, Berks county, and were Friends. Richard Yarnall was born April 10, 1791, and died Oct. 14, 1847. He learned the trade of carpenter and millwright. About the time he reached manhood the Centre turnpike was constructed, resulting in a large increase in the travel between Danville and Sunbury on the north and Reading and Pottsville on the south. A favorable opportunity was presented for the erection of a hotel on this important thoroughfare at the present site of Mount Carmel, which is about equidistant from Danville and Pottsville, and, prompted by these considerations, Mr. Yarnall erected the "Mount Carmel Inn," a two-story log structure situated on the southeast side of the turnpike immediately northeast of the "Commercial Hotel." He opened a hotel there and conducted the business with fair success for several years, when, having become surety for a friend who failed to meet his obligations, the property was sold and he removed to the vicinity of Bear Gap, where he was variously employed for several years. He then located on a small cleared tract near the old Minersville road, and also resided at the Tomlinson farm, after which he engaged in hotel-keeping at the Riffert tavern, where he died. The Riffert tavern was a log structure standing on the east side of the turnpike, north of the Lehigh Valley depot. It is not known who erected it, and under the management of its early owners it bore a bad reputation, but with Mr. Yarnall as proprietor it received the confidence and patronage of the traveling public. He married Mary King, daughter of John King, of Ralpho township, and we have record of two of their sons, Jesse and John, both of whom lived at Mount Cannel. The former was born July 7, 1815, near Bear Gap. John Yarnall, son of Richard, was born Feb. 15, 1828, at the Tomlinson farm, in Coal township, Northumberland county, and learned the carpenter's trade with his father, working at that occupation for some years. In 1859 he married Henrietta Mussina, daughter of Henry B. and Elizabeth (Winters) Mussina, of Center county Pa., and they became the parents of eight children: Mrs. William H. Hinkel, Henry M., Newton L., Richard K., Jerusha M. (deceased), John W., William and Lizzie. Richard K. Yarnall was born Feb. 6, 1865, at Mount Carmel, received a public school education there and learned the trade of painter and paperhanger. After working as a journeyman five years he commenced business for himself at Mount Carmel, on March 1, 1889, and made a success of the venture. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as constable of Mount Carmel. Of another branch of this Yarnall family was Francis Yarnall who had brothers Amos, Jonathan, Asa, John and Elijah. Francis Yarnall was a native of Schuylkill county, Pa., and lived in Barry township, that county, where he was not only a farmer but also one of the early merchants of the region, and conducted a sawmill. His home was near what was then the line between Northumberland and Berks counties. He was a man of affairs, of more than ordinary intelligence and usefulness, and quite prominent in his day, and lived to an advanced age, dying in 1869. He is interred in a private graveyard on the public road leading from Ashland to Gowen City. His wife died long before he did. Among their children were: Joseph; Isaac, who lived at Ashland Pa.; William, who had a son William; and Lydia A. and Anna, who never married and remained on the homestead farm, near Taylorsville Schuylkill county, conducting the sawmill, etc. Miss Lydia A. Yarnall gave much of the information contained in this article. Joseph Yarnall, son of Francis, was born on April 9, 1825, in the section of Schuylkill county where his father lived and died Feb. 24, 1888, in Sunbury, where he is buried, in the old south cemetery on Fourth street. He was a natural mechanic, a skillful woodworker and engineer, a sawmill worker and expert saw filer, and was in the employ of Ira T. Clement, of Sunbury, for some thirty years. Politically he was a Republican and popular locally, being elected to various offices in his district. He was active in the organization of the fire department, and helped to purchase the first engine, in 1870. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Yarnall married Mary A. (Christian), widow of Benjamin Starner, and to them were born six children, of whom five are mentioned: William H., who died in infancy; Gaynor, who died young; Horace, who died young; Charles E., of Sunbury; and John G. The mother was born July 30, 1821, and died in June, 1897. JOHN G. YARNALL was born Nov. 24, 1860, at Sunbury, where he has passed all his life, being now one of the prosperous business men of that borough. He received his education in the local public schools, graduating from the high school in the spring of 1877, and in 1879 entered the employ of Ira T. Clement as clerk in the office, remaining with him until Jan. 1, 1895, and becoming a valuable employee. He has since been in business for himself. He began as a partner of T. H. Paul, in association with whom he purchased, at the time mentioned, the goodwill, stock and fixtures of C. G. Heckert whose business was then located at No. 446 Market street, Sunbury, END OF PAGE 212 being the leading furniture house of the place. The firm of Yarnall & Paul lasted four years, when, in 1899, Mr. Yarnall became sole owner, and he has since continued the business alone. In October, 1900, he located at his present place, No. 334 Market Street, which building he purchased the previous August. It has a frontage of 39 feet, on Market street, and the building has a depth of 160 feet, the lot, however, being 230 feet deep. Mr. Yarnall carries a large line of furniture, rugs, etc., and enjoys an extensive trade, which he has attained and held by the most honorable methods and satisfactory goods, for which his establishment is noted. Mr. Yarnall married Harriet D. Haas, daughter of Henry Haas, of Mahanoy City, Pa., and his first wife, whose maiden name was Smith. George Haas, Mrs. Yarnall's grandfather, lived in the Swatara Creek Valley in Dauphin county. Mr. and Mrs. Yarnall have had five children: Mary Ann died in infancy; Joseph H., electrical engineer, who has been engaged as assistant engineer of rite elevated railroad of Boston, Mass., since June, 1910, is a graduate of State College and an ambitious young man; Ira T., also a graduate of State College, is now in the government employ as a forester, in New Mexico; Sarah O. is a stenographer; John W. is assisting his father in business. Mr. Yarnall is a Republican in politics, and in 1884 he was a member of the borough council, where he proved an aggressive worker. He is a prominent member and one of the trustees of Sunbury Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1, and fraternally holds membership in the I.O.O.F. and Encampment, old Lodge No. 22, F. & A.M., and the Royal Arcanum, all of Sunbury. He belongs to the Reformed Church. JAMES MONTGOMERY, (History of the "POTTSGROVE BRANCH" of the Montgomery family, by James B. Montgomery, M. D., 1903.) the progenitor of the Pottsgrove branch of the Montgomerys, was a member of that numerous body, the "Scotch Irish," which has done so much for the material, moral and spiritual advancement of our beloved America. Many circumstances, and family traditions as well, show beyond a reasonable doubt that the Danville, Paradise and Pottsgrove families of this name are connected by ties of blood, but at this late day it seems wholly impossible to trace the relationship. Some day, should a complete history of the Montgomery family be written, we may know much of our ancestors of which we are now ignorant. It seems fairly certain that the head of our branch was a descendant of Captain Montgomery, born 1666, who was an officer under William of Orange, and who was promoted to a majority in the British army for bravery shown at the battle of the Boyne. However that may be, we do know that he was born in Ireland about 1766. As to what part of the Emerald Isle gave birth to our ancestor, I am in total ignorance, although I have gone to very great pains endeavoring to find out. Of his early life we know practically nothing, although family traditions tell us that he was a school teacher in his native country. He early determined to emigrate to the "land of the free" and did so in or about 1790. On landing in America he first located in the vicinity of West Chester, Pa., where he remained about three years. He then removed to what is now Montour county, Pa., it being at that time a part of Northumberland county. The first definite allusion to him that I have found is in the report for 1877 of County Superintendent William Henry, in, which he says: "The first (schoolhouse) of which we have an authentic account was built in 1793 by James Montgomery, the father of H. R. Montgomery, Esq., and the few scattered settlers in the vicinity. The building stood near the Milton and Danville road and but a short distance from the present boundary line between Montour and Northumberland counties, on lands now owned by Romanus Mull. James Montgomery became its first teacher and he can with truth be called the pioneer school master of the county. It is supposed that Mr. Montgomery was the only teacher that taught in the building. It is known that he taught school for some time. He was a teacher who firmly believed in 'sparing not the rod.' The late Eli Wilson of Danville, bore to the end of his life a scar, the result of a violent collision with this master's ruler. In addition to teaching he for many years followed the arduous profession of civil engineering, a calling much more in demand at that early day than at present. Captain Montgomery, as he was familiarly known for many years held the office of justice of the peace, his first commission, bearing date Jan. 5, 1815, being given him by Gov. Simon Snyder, for District No. 2 in the township of Chillisquaque in the county of Columbia, the same being valid "so long as you do behave yourself well." His second commission, bearing the signature of Governor Shultz, was dated May 29, 1826, and was for the township of Liberty, county of Columbia. He was a member of the Masonic craft, having in November, 1816, joined by card Lodge No. 144 at Lewisburg, Pa.; he was a member of the fraternity previously; I have been wholly unable to find out, but suppose it to have been over in Ireland. The Pennsylvania Archives, as well as family tradition, show that he was early a member of the local military organization, he being captain (hence his title) of the 81st Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, during and subsequent to 1805. That he re- END OF PAGE 213 mained with the "boys" and did not desert his adopted country in time of peril is evidenced by the fact that in 1814 he and his regiment were called out, they going as far as Northumberland, where they were ordered to encamp. They remained in camp for fifteen days, when, the war being practically ended, they were sent home. Of course it is a foregone conclusion that a descendent of one of William of Orange's soldiers could be naught but a Presbyterian and such was the fact in this case. Grandfather was during his life a consistent member and supporter of the Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church, an organization formed in 1773, a few years prior to his arrival here. A personal letter recently received from my venerable friend, Samuel McMahan, of Milton, Pa., says, "I remember your grandfather very well. He with the greater part of those families that came from the North of Ireland, were strong Presbyterians. He was one of the regular supporters of the old Chillisquaque Church." On March 6, 1800, in consideration of the sum of three hundred pounds, he received from James Sheldon a deed for 133 acres and 6 per cent allowance of land along the Beaver run in what is now Liberty township, Montour Co., Pa., it being part of a tract of land which the Proprietors of Pennsylvania did by patent dated the 3d day of April, 1776, grant to James Sheldon. This farm was very beautifully located, and covered with a thick growth of heavy timber, mostly white oak. I have heard it said that he chose this land because of the splendid timber on it, arguing from this that the soil must be extremely productive, while other settlers having less means were compelled to purchase the apparently poorer, hence cheaper, land, that was covered with small scrubby trees. We see his error now. His acres turned out to be a fair quality of gravel, while his poorer neighbors became the possessors of the valuable limestone farms, as fertile as any in the State, and which have made their descendants wealthy. He proceeded to clear up a farm and to erect the necessary buildings for the comfort and maintenance of himself and his family. These have long since disappeared. The house, built of logs, stood about two rods east of the location of the present dwelling. There was a splendid spring near the house and as there was at that time little or no market for his surplus grain he, like many of the pioneer settlers, built a distillery for its consumption. With tireless energy he laboriously hewed out the broad acres of the old homestead where his children were all born and which remained in the possession of himself and his descendants for nearly a century thereafter. During the summer of 1795 he married Sarah Sheddan, who was born at "Seoiceberry Grove," the Sheddan homestead in Liberty township, Jan. 16, 1778, a daughter of James Sheddan, an Irishman, born Aug. 12, 1744, who with his wife, born in August, 1749, came to America in 1774. Mrs. Montgomery was a devoted wife to the end of her life, which occurred July 22, 1827. She and her husband were the parents of the following children: Samuel, born Sept. 20, 1796, died April 17, 1798; James, born 1798, died 1827; Samuel (2), born Aug. 7, 1800, died Jan. 16, 1826; Nathaniel, born Aug. 3, 1802, died Nov. 20, 1824; William, born April 16, 1805, died Aug. 14, 1826; Mary, born 1808, died 1854; Daniel W., born 1811, died 1866; Andrew, born June 24, 1814, died Aug. 3, 1838; Robert G., born 1817, died 1875; Hugh R., born 1819, died 1881; Anne, born July 9, 1822, died Jan. 23, 1829. It was a sad and remarkable coincidence that so many of the sons died in early manhood. Soon after the death of his wife James Montgomery again assumed the matrimonial relationship being united in marriage with Mrs. Catherine Burns, nee Harvey, who bore him three children: John C., born 1828, died 1859; David H., born 1831, died 1902, and Margaret J., born 1835, died 1842. She survived him some years, finally going the way of all flesh, Aug. 18, 1856. As indicated in the foregoing sketch our grandfather was a man of considerable importance to the community in his day and generation. Intellectually he was far above the average settler. My old friend, Samuel McMahan, tells me, "I saw him sign the temperance pledge in the center schoolhouse and he was spoken of as a man of pronounced views, who would be of much help in the reformation." Physically he was a large, finely built man, not tall but rather heavy. Like a true son of Erin, he was jovial and witty. As a husband he was thoughtful of the comfort of his partner, as a father he was kind and just, although somewhat strict as was the habit of the old colonists. As a neighbor and citizen his efforts and influence were all to the good. He lived to the Biblical limit of three-score and ten. His death occurred suddenly and without any premonitions, he being found dead in his bed, probably from an apoplectic seizure, Dec. 6, 1836. His remains were buried by the side of his first wife in the old Chillisquaque cemetery and have long since been followed by all that was mortal of his widow and many of his children. There they quietly rest in that dreamless sleep from which they shall not awaken until the resurrection morn. Concerning the children of James and Sarah (Sheddan) Montgomery who reached maturity, James Montgomery was born, probably at the Sheddan homestead, Oct. 10, 1798. Very little is now known about him. On Nov. 15, 1825, he married Jane Harrison (a sister of the late Mrs. Obed Everett of Frosty Valley), who was born in Union county, Pa., June 12, 1805. During their honeymoon they visited friends near Milton and both END OF PAGE 214 contracted colds which developed into illness so serious that in both cases it terminated fatally, her death occurring July 31, 1826, his following on May 10, 1827. They left no children. Mary Montgomery was born on the old Montgomery homestead Nov. 20, 1808, and died Jan. 27, 1854. About 1830 she married John Rogers (an Irishman and school teacher), by whom she had two children, Sarah Anne and Elmer. The latter was born Nov. 20, 1834, and died without issue Feb. 22, 1857. Sarah Anne was born in Liberty township May 1, 1832, and died in Lancaster, Pa., Dec. 30, 1891. On Sept. 9, 1858, she was married in Morrow county, Ohio, to Samuel Burns (born in Liberty township Oct. 12, 1832, died in Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 24, 1906), and they were the parents of five children: Ella, John, Anna, Amos and Robert, all of whom died during childhood, and thus terminated this branch of the family. Dr. Daniel W. Montgomery was born on the old homestead in what was then Turbut township, Northumberland county, May 7, 1811. He left home at an early age, probably about fifteen, and matriculated as a student at an institution of much note at the time, the old Milton Academy, the leading spirit of which was the eccentric but learned minister David Kirkpatrick, familiarly known as "Old Kirk." Among his classmates were James Pollock, who afterward served as governor of Pennsylvania, and Andrew G. Curtin, who later became the famous "War Governor" of our Commonwealth, as well as others who achieved considerable success in the various walks of life. After graduation he was retained in the academy as teacher for several rears. Being poor but ambitious he, as many before and since have done, resorted to the schoolmaster's desk in order to obtain funds with which to secure a medical education. He taught at Danville, Mausdale, Sodom, the "Marsh," and probably at other schools in the forks of the Susquehanna. It is worthy of note that the lady who afterward became his wife was at one time one of his pupils. He now entered the office of Dr. William H. Magill, a noted physician of Danville, as a student of medicine, and in due time matriculated at Jefferson Medical College. After a faithful attendance at its courses of lectures he was granted the coveted degree in 1835. He immediately located at Orangeville, where by energy and industry he soon built up a large but exceedingly laborious practice, his field being a very extensive one, embracing territory which now supports over a dozen physicians. But he never faltered until failing health compelled him to desist, retaining the confidence and support of his patrons to the end. His premature death, which occurred Nov. 16, 1866, was like that of thousands of his brother physicians - unhonored and unsung, yet heroes none the less - directly due to the wear and tear and exposure incident to the life of the busy physician whose creed and practice always is others before yourself. Physically Dr. Montgomery was not a robust man, being slight in build and not tall, but he had a clear eye, a firm, resolute chin and a thoughtful, faith-inspiring face. In early life he had some trouble with one of his ankles, which caused a permanent lameness. On April 13, 1839, he purchased the lot on corner of Main and Mount Pleasant streets, in the village of Orangeville, on which he built the house which was his home to the end of his life, in which his children were all born, and which still remains in the possession of his son. Some years later he purchased a fine farm in Orange township. The Doctor was one of a small body of medical men who on the 31st day of July, 1858, founded the Columbia County Medical Society, an association which has endured to the present day and which embraces in its membership the leading practitioners of the county. Although in no sense a politician he, like all our family, was a life-long Democrat. My father once told me that had it not been denied impossible to dispense with his services as a physician, he would have been thrust in the stifling vaults of Fort Mifflin along with the other poor victims of that horrid creation of malignity and falsehood, the so called "Fishing creek Confederacy." Yet it is but the simple truth that no purer minded, more patriotic American ever lived than was he. A contemporary newspaper, The Star of the North, says of him, "His long residence in the place, in connection with his great success in the practice of medicine, his unwavering principles of morality and integrity, his zeal for the cause of education, his aid and energy for the public welfare, leave a community to mourn his loss as irreparable. As a physician he ranked among the highest. His calm and deliberate judgment, with his long experience rendered him one of more than ordinary skill. The profession has lost a valuable member and the physicians throughout this and adjoining counties will sadly deplore the loss of one whose life has been so valuable to the profession and community. But alas! He is no more. Death has claimed him and his quiet, tranquil death assures us that his spirit rests in peace." His mortal remains now rest in that dreamless sleep that knows no wakening this side of eternity, by the side of her he loved in life, in beautiful Orangeville cemetery. On Nov. 16, 1837, at the home of her parents, he was joined in wedlock to Margaret, daughter of William and Jane (Moore) Curry, and granddaughter of Robert Curry, a native of Ireland, who was one of the earliest settlers of what is now Montour county and who was killed by the Indians in 1780. Mrs. Montgomery was born on the old Curry, homestead in Valley township, Columbia END OF PAGE 215 now Montour) county, Jan. 20, 1815, and after a faithful performance of the many and varied duties that confronted her as wife, mother and grandparent departed this life in Orangeville, in the house where all of a congenial and happy married life had been spent, Jan. 6, 1888. Both Doctor and Mrs. Montgomery were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of the following children: Clara J. C., born May 17, 1843, who died Sept. 10, 1853; Zelma Agnes, born Jan. 19, 1847; and James B., born July 6, 1849. Robert G. Montgomery was born on the old Montgomery homestead, Jan. 5, 1817, and lived on it during the whole of his life, following the humble but very honorable and useful occupation of tiller of the soil. He was an excellent farmer and liked nothing better than to "make two blades of grass grow where one grew before." He became the owner of his farm sometime during the forties and improved it by the erection of a fine brick house and a large bank barn. He was a man of quiet tastes, one who thoroughly despised vulgar ostentations. He was honest and God- fearing, and while his fame was merely local, who can say how far reaching is the influence of that well lived life! I shall never forget a remark made by a neighbor which I overheard at his funeral, "There lies a perfectly honest man, one who never had an enemy." On Dec. 4, 1857, he married Susan, daughter of Fleming and Anna (Randolph) Nesbit, who was born at Carlisle, Pa., Jan. 22, 1827, and died at the home of her daughter May, in Orangeville, Nov. 29, 1890. They were the parents of the following children: James F., born Jan. 26, 1862; Ida May, born Feb. 8, 1864; John C., born Dec. 19, 1867; and three others who died in infancy. Mr. Montgomery's death, which was sudden and unexpected, occurred Dec. 31, 1875, from an attack of pneumonia. He was buried in the new Chillisquaque cemetery. His widow was buried at Orangeville. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the old Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church. Hugh R. Montgomery, the youngest son of James and Sarah Montgomery, was born May 26, 1819, on the old Montgomery homestead, where he lived until he arrived at manhood's estate. Although never physical]y robust, yet like most of our ancestors of a century ago he early became accustomed to hard work. He helped clear up and till his father's farm, while during the long winters he taught the district school. The latter occupation he followed for many years; the former during his lifetime. The lady who afterward became his wife was for some time a pupil of his. In 1842 he bought a tract of land to which he moved to which he subsequently made additions (this is now known as the "Lindrew" farm), and improved by building a substantial brick house and large bank barn. Here he lived till 1865, when he sold it and moved to the "Auten" farm, where he lived one year, when he bought and moved on the "Morgan" farm in the Village of Mexico. Here he lived for three years, when he sold the place and purchased a large tract of land along the banks of the Chillisquaque, near Pottsgrove. This was known as the "Bennage" farm and was the same tract originally known as "The True Point," which in consideration of the sum of twelve pounds, two shillings, sixpence sterling was granted, released and confirmed unto John Morrow (a progenitor of our present Murray family) on the sixteenth day of June in the year of our Lord 1774, and the fourteenth year of the reign of King George the Third over Great Britain, etc., by Thomas Penn and John Penn, Esq's., etc., etc. He moved on this farm during the month of April, 1869, and soon improved it by the erection of an excellent brick house, which he occupied until his death, which occurred after a lingering illness, July 28, 1881. He was a man of sterling honor and integrity and a person of much more than ordinary intelligence. Although naturally rather backward and unassuming, his life was an active and useful one. He was first commissioned justice of the peace by Governor Johnston in 1850, an office he continuously held until his removal from the county, in 1869. He was executor or administrator of a great many estates. He took much interest in educational matters, was a member of the school board for many years and was one of the founders of the Pottsgrove Academy. He was for many years a member of and an elder in the old Chillisquaque Presbyterian church. By his death his wife lost a kind, thoughtful husband, his children a loving father, the church an excellent counselor, the community an upright, conscientious, God- fearing member. His mortal remains rest in the family plot in the upper cemetery at Milton, Pa. On June 25, 1857, at Danville, Pa., Rev. I. W. Yeomans united him in the bonds of holy matrimony with Sarah S. Moll, who proved a true help mate during the quarter century of their married life. She bore him the following children: James R., born May 15, 1858; John S., born Aug. 21, 1859; Mary E., born Nov. 20, 1860; Sarah A., born Sept. 20, 1863; Daniel M., born Sept. 27, 1865; William A., born Sept. 2, 1867; Hugh B., born Aug. 27, 1868; Clara B., born Nov. 29, 1870 (died July 23, 1900); Alice J., born Dec. 17, 1873. Sarah S. Moll was born in Berks county, Pa., March 30, 1837, daughter of Daniel F. and Mary (Seidel) Moll, granddaughter of John and Mary Elizabeth (Foust) Moll, and great-granddaughter of Henry Moll. Of the original Molls (or Mulls as they spelled it) but little is known, but it is supposed they came from Germany. John C. Montgomery, son of James and Catherine (Burns) Montgomery, was born on the old END OF PAGE 216 homestead Oct. 31, 1828. He was a man of considerable promise, being bright, energetic and industrious. Physically he was a splendid specimen of manhood. He had a decided military build and was a member of the local militia. He bought the "Bond" farm, a tract of land adjoining his fathers farm on the west, and this he proceeded to improve by the erection of a large brick house and bank barn. He was engaged at the former when he was stricken by an attack of erysipelas which resulted fatally, Sept. 11, 1859. He had never married. Dr. David H. Montgomery, son of James and Catherine (Burns) Montgomery, was born on the old homestead Dec. 4, 1831. After the completion of his literary education he taught school, at the same time reading medicine with his brother, Dr. Daniel. After attendance on the usual lectures and clinics, he received his diploma from the Philadelphia College of Medicine - an institution of repute at the time, but which has long since ceased to exist - March 10, 1852. He then engaged in practice with his preceptor at Orangeville, which he continued till 1856, when he located in Mifflinville. Here by close attention to his professional duties he soon built up a large and lucrative practice, which he held to the time of his death, which occurred suddenly, though to himself not unexpectedly, Nov. 21, 1902, it being due to a severe attack of angina pectoris, a disease to which he had long been subject. In 1862 he bought a lot in the village on which he erected a fine residence in which he lived the remainder of his life. He was quite a man in the financial world, being one of the original promoters and stockholders of the North and West Branch railroad, a stockholder in the Farmers' National Bank, etc. Dr. Montgomery was man of many excellent traits. Physically he was a splendid specimen of manhood. He was very genial and intuitively inspired everyone with trust in his ability and honesty. In his tastes he was thoroughly domestic. He was a great lover of home. No man's family relations could have been pleasanter. His pastor said of him "His work has been magnificent and every stroke has been in the interest of right. He read the world in its various phases and if a strong brain and a magnetic presence are evidences of the good he has derived from following out his own notions of life's best plan, indeed his is a receipt worthy to be followed by all who wish to attain the same results." In 1854 he was united in wedlock with Amelia, daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Hess) Kline, and granddaughter of Abram Kline, who prior to the revolution emigrated to America from Germany and settled in what is now Orange township. She was born near Orangeville, and after a happy married life survived her husband but a few months, dying suddenly from a ruptured aneurysm, July 14, 1903. Both sleep in Berwick cemetery. They are the parents of three children. Margaret J. Montgomery, daughter of James and Catherine (Burns) Montgomery, was born March 23, 1835, and died May 11,1842. Dr. James B. Montgomery, son of Hugh P. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born on the "Harvey" farm in Liberty township, Montour Co., Pa., May 15, 1858. He worked with his father on the farm till he was seventeen, attending the common schools during the winter months and completing his literary education at Millersville Normal School. He then taught two terms of school at Oak Grove, in his native township, at the same time reading medicine with his preceptor, Dr. Charles H. Dougal, of Milton, Pa. He matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated "with honorable mention" of his thesis, March 13, 1880. He practiced his profession for upward of a year in Philadelphia, when his father desiring him nearer home during his illness he located in Clarkstown, from which place he, on Jan. 16, 1882, removed to Buckhorn, where he still resides and where he has built up a large practice. In 1889 he purchased the property where he now lives and which he improved the same year by the erection of a large store building. He is an active member of the Columbia County Medical Society, State Medical Society and American Medical Association, in the various duties of which he takes an active part. He is member of Huntington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A.M. On Oct. 26, 1887; by Rev. F. H. Tubbs, the Doctor was united in marriage with Daisy May Harris. They are the parents of two children, James R., Jr., born Sept. 22, 1889, and Maud, born March 1, 1894. Daisy May Harris was born in Buckhorn, in the house in which she now lives, Oct. 7, 1866, only daughter of Jacob and Sarah A. (Shoemaker) Harris, granddaughter of James and Mary (Sheep) Harris, great- granddaughter of William Harris and great-great-granddaughter of James Harris, who was born in or near Bristol, England, about 1700, and emigrated to America about 1725, settling in Sussex county, N. J., where he married Miss Boleyn. On the maternal side she is a granddaughter of Abram and Rebecca (Girton) Shoemaker and a great-granddaughter of Abram Shoemaker, who was born in New Jersey. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, at the close of which he married Margaret Melick and came to what is now Columbia county, Pa., where he died about 1845, at a great age. He was buried with military honors in the old Presbyterian cemetery in Bloomsburg. John S. Montgomery; son of Hugh P. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, formerly senior member of the firm of J. S. Montgomery & Co., Pottsgrove, Pa., was born on the "Harvey" farm, Aug. 21, 1859. After his school days were over he followed the profession of telegrapher for a number of years, END OF PAGE 217 being employed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company from 1883 to 1888. In August 1888, he purchased a store in Pottsgrove which he conducted alone for a time, but in the fall of 1881 he took in as a partner his brother Daniel M. This partnership was continued till 1901, when Daniel withdrew and William A. entered the firm, which continued to do a large retail mercantile business in the prosperous community in which they were located. In 1894 they purchased a lot on which they erected a large and substantial store building and residence. John S. Montgomery sold his interest in this store in 1905. He is an enterprising man, taking an active part in all that pertains to the welfare of his town. He is a member of the Pottsgrove Lodge, I.O.O.F. On March 14, 1902, he took unto himself a better half in the person of Jane S. McWilliams, Rev. A. B. Herr officiating. Jane S. McWilliams was born near Pottsgrove, April 5, 1871, daughter of John C. and Susan (Rissel) McWilliams. Mary E. (Montgomery) Marsh, daughter of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born on the "Harvey" farm Nov. 20, 1860. She received their education at the Pottsgrove schools. On March 27, 1879, she was joined in marriage, by Rev. H. Graham Finney, to Charles N. Marsh. They farmed his father's farm in Turbut township for several years, when they purchased a tract of land along the banks of the Chillisquaque creek. They lived on this for some years, improving it by the erection of a fine brick house and a substantial bank barn. In 1898 Mr. Marsh accepted a position with the First National Bank of Milton, and leaving the farm, which they still own, they purchased and moved to the property at No. 128 Centre street where they still reside. They are the parents of one child, Hugh M., who was born in Turbut township, Northumberland county., June 13, 1880. All are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Marsh was elected an elder of their church in 1901. Charles Newton Marsh was born in Turbut township, Northumberland Co., Pa., June 25, 1858. He received his education in the common schools, Limestoneville Academy and Millersville Normal School, taught school for some years, and also followed surveying. He still devotes his spare time to the latter occupation and to fire insurance. He was elected justice of the peace in 1889 and held the office until his removal from this township, in 1898. He is the only son of Minner Gulick and Margaret (Follmer) Marsh, grandson of Isaac and Sarah (Gulick) Marsh and great-grandson of Isaac and Elinor (Griggs) Marsh whose ancestors fled from Scotland during a rebellion and settled near Flemington N. J. Elinor Griggs was a native of Flemington, N. J. Sarah Gulick was a daughter of Minner Gulick, a captain in the Revolutionary war, whose ancestors came to this country from Julick, Germany, about 1653. Margaret Follmer is a daughter of Simon Follmer, he a descendant of Michael Follmer, one of three brothers (then called Vollmer) who came from Bavaria and settled on what is now the Reuben Hoffa farm, near Follmer's Church, about 1772 or 1773. Sarah A. (Montgomery) Eckman, daughter of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born on the "Lindner" farm Sept. 20, 1863. She received her education in the common schools and at Pottsgrove Academy. On March 1, 1888, she was united in the bonds of matrimony with William H. Eckman, by Rev. J. O. George. They purchased a property in Sunbury, Pa., where they lived for some years, Mr. Eckman being connected with the Pomfret Manor Cemetery Company. In June, 1891, they bought the "Bieber" farm, a beautiful tract of land lying near Pottsgrove, to which they removed in 1893, and on which they still reside. They have since built a handsome and comfortable dwelling on it and have made it a model farm. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church. They are the parents of two children: Clara A., who was born in Sunbury, Pa., Aug. 14, 1891, and Mae Montgomery, born at Pottsgrove Feb. 9, 1904. William H. Eckman was born in Upper Augusta township, Northumberland county, Aug. 7, 1855. He is a son of Peter Eckman, who was born near Klines Grove, Pa., May 10, 1831. He was a farmer nearly all his life, but for about fifteen years was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was a lifelong member of the M. E. Church. He died July 31, 1906, and was buried at Sunbury. In 1849 he married Angelina Shipe, a daughter of Michael and Judith (Huberter), who was born in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county, March 13, 1833. His grandfather, Jacob Eckman, was born Sept. 22, 1805, and died April 19, 1876, was a native of Bloomsbury, N. J. On July 26, 1826, he married Emma Gulick, born Dec. 6, 1802, died April 7, 1883, whose paternal ancestors were English. On the maternal side she was descended from a Huguenot family named Gauo, who fled from France to America during a religious persecution in the eighteenth century. His great- grandfather, Charles Eckman, was born near Bloomsbury, N. J., in 1779, married Margaret DeWitt in 1800, and lived on a farm near his birthplace till 1807, when he bought a farm near Snydertown, Pa., on which they lived till 1813, when they exchanged it for a farm near Klines Grove. Pa., now known as the old Eckman homestead. They were the parents of eight sons and three daughters. His great-great-grandfather Eckman was an old settler of Warren county, N. J.; he was the father of three sons and four daughters. Daniel M. Montgomery, son of Hugh R. and Sarah S.(Moll) Montgomery, was born on the END OF PAGE 218 "Auten" farm Sept. 27, 1865. At the death of his father he left the old home and after taking a commercial course at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., accepted employment from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as telegrapher. This vocation he followed for some years, occupying various locations, mostly on the main line between Harrisburg and Pittsburg. He very nearly lost his life in the famous "Johnstown flood" of 1889. He was in the Conemaugh tower at the time, but fortunately he saw the huge wall of water approaching, and quickly deserting the doomed locality he safely reached the hills. A minute after tower and all were destroyed. The same year, 1889, he formed a partnership with his brother, John S., in the mercantile business at Pottsgrove, which continued until 1901. He then withdrew from the firm and removed to Hazleton, Pa., where he opened a store. During the year he bought a lot at No. 237 West Broad Street on which he built a large three-story store and dwelling into which he moved the following spring, and which he still occupies. On April 4, 1893, he married Mary L., a daughter of John and Clara (Buss) Koons, who was born in Lycoming county Jan. 15, 1873. She bore him two children, Florence and Mildred May, both of whom died during infancy. Unfortunately his wife went into a decline which developed into that scourge of our race, consumption, and terminated fatally June 30, 1896. She is buried in the family plot in the upper cemetery at Milton. On April 12, 1899, he again assumed the marital relation by uniting in marriage with Annie L. Levan, Rev. H. P. Corser officiating. They have one child, Elwood Watson, who was born at Pottsgrove April 4, 1900. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church. Annie Louisa Levan was born at Ottawa, Pa., Jan. 10, 1877. She received her education in the common schools and at Bloomsburg Normal School, graduating from the latter institution. She is a daughter of Charles D. and Sarah C. (Watson) Levan, and a granddaughter of Charles and Mary A. (Follmer) Levan, the former of whom was born in, southern France in 1800, and when a young man came to America, where he died in 1881. William A. Montgomery, son of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born on the "Morgan" farm in Liberty township Sept. 2, 1867. He received his education in the Pottsgrove schools. After the death of his father, in 1881, he took charge of the old home and farmed the place, thus making a home for his mother and his younger brother and sisters. In 1895 he bought the farm and occupied it for some years. Unfortunately he sustained a severe sunstroke, the results of which compelled him to forego the hard work and exposure to the heat of the sun incident to the life of the agriculturist. He rented his farm and removed to Pottsgrove, where he led a retired life until 1901, when he joined his brother, John S., in the mercantile business from which he retired in 1906. He is a Presbyterian and a member of the Odd Fellows. He is unmarried. H. Bryson Montgomery, son of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born on the "Morgan" farm August 27, 1868. After his school days were over he entered into a three years apprenticeship with McKillip Brothers, photographers, of Bloomsburg, Pa. At the completion of this term he built and operated a gallery at Williamstown, Pa. He continued here till 1895, when he bought a lot at No. 143 South Front street, Milton, Pa., on which he erected a splendid brick residence and gallery, which he occupied for a number of years, and where he did probably the largest photographic business in the county. He was an expert photographer and in addition an extensive dealer in cameras, frames and other accessories. He has sold out his studio and is now extensively interested in the sand business. On March 20, 1895, he was united in marriage, by Rev. J. A. Adams, to Sarah A. Billmeyer, who was born in Liberty township, near Oak Grove, Oct. 12, 1870. She is a daughter of Henry and Hannah (Florce) Billmeyer, and great-granddaughter of Martin Billmeyer, who with his father, Martin Billmeyer, came to what is now Montour county and took up (more than a century ago) a large amount of land in the vicinity of Billmeyers dam, which still remains in the possession of their descendants. Both are members of the Trinity Lutheran Church. Clara B. Montgomery, daughter of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born at the old home in Chillisquaque township, Nov. 29, 1870. After completing her education at the public schools and at Pottsgrove Academy she chose the profession of photography, which she learned with her brother Bryson at Williamstown, but her health proving delicate she never followed it except as an amateur. She made her home with her mother at Pottsgrove. During a visit to Atlantic City in the summer of 1899 she contracted a cold which finally terminated in that dread disease, consumption. After a lingering illness, which she bore with Christian fortitude, her poor young life was cut short by the grim reaper July 23, 1900. During the whole of her brief life she had been an active, earnest, consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. All that is mortal of our dear sister, the first of our family circle to pass to the great beyond, now rests in the family plot at Milton. Alice Jane (Montgomery) Sheddan, daughter of Hugh R. and Sarah S. (Moll) Montgomery, was born on the old farm along the banks of the Chillisquaque Dec. 17, 1873. She completed her education in the common schools of her native town- END OF PAGE 219 ship and at Pottsgrove Academy. In addition she took a number of courses in music, an art in which she became an adept. On August 12, 1896, she was joined in the bonds of wedlock to Rev. William B. Sheddan. They are the parents of two children, Ralph Montgomery, born at McEwensville, Pa., June 24, 1897, and Boyd Robert, born at Little Oxford, Warren Co., N. J., Sept. 8, 1902. William Boyd Sheddan was born at the old Sheddan homestead, which has been in the possession of the family since 1774, April 8, 1867. He is the only child of John K. and Marietta J. (Wilson) Sheddan, and the great-grandson of James Sheddan, who was born in Ireland in 1744, and who came to America thirty years later, settling on what is now the Sheddan homestead. His grandfather, William Sheddan, and his wife's grandmother, Sarah Sheddan Montgomery, were brother and sister. At the age of nineteen he first taught school at Balls Mills, followed by a year each at Chestnut Grove and Limestoneville. He then matriculated at Bucknell University, from which he graduated in 1895, with the degree of Ph. B. Then for three years he taught at Pottsgrove, McEwensville and Milton. He became a student in Princeton Theological Seminary and completed the course in 1900. During this time he supplied several churches. On Aug. 18, 1900, he received a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford, N. J., and was ordained and installed pastor of the same, Jan. 30, 1901, and which charge he served till the summer of 1904, when he accepted the position of Librarian at Princeton Theological Seminary, removing to the latter place in August of that year. His address is No. 5 Linden Lane, Princeton, New Jersey. Concerning the children of Robert G. and Susan (Nesbit) Montgomery, James F. Montgomery was born in Liberty township, on the old Montgomery homestead, Jan. 26, 1862. He lived at home until the death of his father. Shortly after this event he removed to Orangeville, where he worked at carpentering. In 1883 he purchased a farm in Orange township. He lived on this until 1903; when he rented it and moved to the Daniel McHenry farm at Stillwater, where he remained one year and then returned to his own farm. On June 27, 1885, he married Jennie R. Sharpless, who has borne him the following children: Robert S., born Dec. 26, 1886; Laura May, born Oct. 13, 1888 (died March 27, 1891); Clement D., born Oct. 28, 1890; Maud A., born Sept. 1, 1892; Wallace W., born May 6, 1894 (died Aug. 15,, 1895); William C., born Feb. 2, 1896; Clara C., born Nov. 27, 1898. Jennie R. Sharpless was born in Orangeville, Pa., Oct. 15, 1865, daughter of Samuel A. and Mary (Everitt) Sharpless. Ida May (Montgomery) Swank was born on the old Montgomery homestead, Feb. 8, 1864. She staid with her mother for some years after her father's death, but finally left home and learned dressmaking. She also lived for several years with the family of Henry H. Grotz, in Bloomsburg. On April 28, 1887, she was united in marriage to Clement V. Delong, of Orangeville, but the period of her wedded life was very brief as he died Sept. 1, 1887. On April 26, 1900, she again entered the matrimonial ranks, taking for her life partner Dill L. Swank. They at once moved into their own house in Fernville, near Bloomsburg, where they lived until 1901, when they rented it and moved to Hazleton, where Mr. Swank had accepted a situation as foreman in a large woodworking plant. Their child, George Nesbit, born March 4, 1902, they were unfortunate enough to lose by death, from cholera infantum, July 3, 1902. Dill L. Swank was born at Hetlerville, Pa., March 16, 1865, son of Obadiah and Elizabeth (Kirkendall) Swank, grandson of George and Elizabeth (Hutchins) Swank and great-grandson of John and Catherine (Hover) Swank. John C. Montgomery was born in Liberty township, Dec. 19, 1867. After the death of his father he lived for a number of years with William Curry at Mausdale. Being of an economical and saving disposition, he accumulated quite a sum of money, with which, with his patrimony, he purchased a large tract of land known as the "Beaver" farm, located in Pine township, Columbia Co., Pa. Here he lived for some time following farming and lumbering. But owing either to mismanagement or the dishonesty of others, or both, he was so unfortunate as to lose all his property. Thinking he might, succeed better elsewhere, he located at Claymount, Ill., where he still resides. He is a farmer, and so far as is known he is unmarried. Zelma Agnes (Montgomery) Smith, daughter of Dr. Daniel W. and Margaret, (Curry) Montgomery, was born in Orangeville, Pa., Jan. 19, 1847. James B. Montgomery, son of Dr. Daniel W. and Margaret (Curry) Montgomery, was born in Orangeville July 6, 1819. He received his education at Orangeville Academy, Bloomsburg Institute, Dickinson Seminary and Poughkeepsie Business College. For many years he has followed the honorable calling of tiller of the soil, although he does the directing rather than the actual labor, and owns and manages several of the handsomest farms in the county, of which he is justly proud. He lives in Orangeville, in the house built by his father a half century or more ago. He is no politician, but takes an active part in all that pertains to the welfare of his native town; is a member of the council of Orangeville borough. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Mary E. Lee, who has borne him three children: Mary Grace, born Feb. 18, 1872; Cora Agnes, born Nov. 25, 1875; and END OF PAGE 220 James Curry, born Oct. 17, 1877. All are members of the Presbyterian church. Mary Elizabeth Lee was born in Scott township, Columbia Co., Pa., in October 1851, daughter of Charles and Mary E. (Liyler) Lee and granddaughter of David and Susanna Lee. S. PIERCE BOYER, farmer, of Lower Mahanoy township, Northumberland county, lives on part of the old homestead of his grandfather, Peter Boyer, who moved to this county in 1831 with his family. The Boyers are from Berks county, Pa., where the name has long been a representative one. The emigrant ancestor of the Boyer family was John Philip Boyer, who came from the Palatinate to Philadelphia in 1731, with a number of children. He settled in Frederick township, Montgomery Co., Pa., but later lived in Amity township, in the lower end of Berks county, where he died in the spring of 1753, at a ripe old age. He belonged to the Swamp Lutheran Church, and was buried by the pastor, Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who reports the matter fully in the "Hallesehen Nachrichten." His will is on record at the Philadelphia courthouse, and in it some of his children are named. Among his sons were Jacob, the ancestor of the Boyertown branch of the family; and Johann Heinrich. Johann Heinrich Boyer was born in 1714, in the Pfalz, Germany, and died May 2, 1814, in the one hundredth year of his age. In 1743 he was married to Magdalena Kirchner, and among his children - six sons and one daughter - were Philip and Heinrich. Philip Boyer, born Dec. 14, 1754, died July 31, 1832. His wife, Christiana, who was born in 1754, also died in 1832, and both were buried in the old graveyard at Amityville. Philip Boyer made a will the year before his death, while a resident of Amity township, and in it he mentions the following children: Michael; Jacob, who had a son Philip; John; Peter; Mary, married to George Koch; and Daniel, born in 1792, who died in 1825. Peter Boyer, son of Philip, was born in Amity township, Berks county, and in 1831 came to Northumberland county with his wife and family, which then consisted of twelve children, the youngest two having been born in Lower Mahanoy township, where they settled. His 170-acre farm in that township is now owned by one Frank Phillips. Later he moved to Dauphin county, where he owned a valuable farm and mill property for which he paid $12,000, and he died in that county about 1850-51, at the age of sixty-five years. He is buried at Hoffman's Church, in Lykens township, Dauphin county. Though a stonemason by trade, he was engaged principally in farming, in which he was very successful and prosperous. He was a strong man, noted for his courageous disposition, and was known locally as "Wammas" Boyer. His wife, Catharine Herb, also of Berks county, lived to the age of eighty-four. They were the parents of fourteen children, as follows: Benjamin, Sally, Elias, Isaac, Rachel, Mary, Hettie, Gabriel, Abraham, Catharine, Josiah and Benneville (twins), John and Leah, the two last named born in Northumberland county. John Boyer, probably an uncle of Peter Boyer, above, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Abraham Boyer, son of Peter, was born in Amity township, Berks county, and came with the family to Lower Mahanoy township, where he passed the remainder of his active and successful life with the exception of the years he was at Millerstown, Perry county. Like the Boyers generally, he was noted for his industry and thrift, and he became one of the most extensive farmers in Lower Mahanoy township, owning about 500 acres of land. He died in Lower Mahanoy township Sept. 28, 1894. Abraham Boyer married Catharine Anderson, daughter of John and Mary (Harrold) Anderson, and to them were born six children, namely: S. Pierce; Amelia, who married Henry Kieffer, of Dauphin county, Pa.; John, deceased; Elias D., of Limestone, Upper Augusta township, this county; Hannah, married to John Lahr, of Pillow, Pa.; and Peter, of Pillow. S. Pierce Boyer was born Jan. 12, 1853, in Millerstown, Perry Co., Pa., and was but four weeks old when the family returned to Northumberland county, where he was reared to farm life. He worked for his parents until he was thirty years old, when he left home and began farming on his own account in Jordan township, as a tenant. Some years later he and his brother Elias bought a tract of seventy-one acres near Mandata, Pa., in partnership, and S. Pierce Boyer farmed this tract for twelve years, until he settled on his present place in Lower Mahanoy township in 1894. He has a tract of 109 acres near Mandata which was at one time part of the old homestead of his grandfather, Peter Boyer, and which has been in the family name for many years. The barn on this place was built by his father, Abraham Boyer, and the present owner has remodeled the house, which is a comfortable dwelling. The place is well kept up and Mr. Boyer is a typical member of his family enterprising and energetic in all he undertakes and prosperous in his farming operations. He has taken some part in local affairs, having served three years as school director of the township and also as tax collector. He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Boyer has been quite prominent in church affairs, he being a member of the Reformed congregation at Zion's Stone Valley Church, which he has served as member of the council for ten years. In March, 1883, Mr. Boyer married Susan Michael, daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Bobb) END OF PAGE 221 Michael, of lower Mahanoy township, who had a family of six children, namely: John, William, Mary (Mrs. George Philips), Susan, Isaac and Sarah. Mrs. Boyer died April 14, 1893, at the age of forty-two years, the mother of two children: Katie, unmarried, who lives in Sunbury, Pa.; and Carrie, who is living with her parents. Mr. Boyer married for his second wife Ella Drumheller, daughter of Nicholas Drumheller, and to this union there was one child, born dead. PETER BOYER, youngest son of Abraham Boyer, was born April 15, 1867, in Lower Mahanoy township, and worked for his parents until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He subsequently farmed some seven years as a tenant on the John Haas farm, three miles east of Milton, Pa. In 1902 he settled in Jordan township on the valuable farm of 286 acres, near Hebe, which he has since occupied and cultivated. Besides this place he owns other land, having in all 321 acres, of which 209 acres are under cultivation. In addition to farming he is engaged to some extent in lumbering, and he has also been interested in building, having put up five houses in Sunbury during 1907-08. Mr. Boyer married Catharine Troutman, and they have five children: (1) William R., born July 30, 1882, in Lower Mahanoy township, took a course at Keller's business college, at Lewisburg, Pa., taught public school for five terms, and has since held his present position, being rural letter carrier No. 1 of Pillow, Pa. He married Minnie Strohecker, and they have three children, Hazel, Helen and Vivian. They live a half mile west of Pillow. (2) John C., born, Aug. 13, 1884, was engaged in farming for a while and then turned to the raising of fancy poultry and lumbering. He lives on his place at Klingerstown, Pa. He married Jennie S. Wiest, and they have three children, Mildred, Margaret and Evelyn. (3) Silas N., born Dec. 15, 1886, lives at home with his parents. He is a prominent young farmer and raiser of swine. (4) Chauncey E., born Dec. 26, 1889, lives with his parents, and devotes most of his time to cattle and horse raising; he is also assistant rural carrier at Pillow. (5) Ramsey E., born May 31, 1894, living with his parents', is particularly interested in machinery. Benjamin Boyer, son of Peter, was born Aug. 8, 1813, in Amity township, Berks county, and came with his parents to Northumberland county, locating with them in Lower Mahanoy township. He was reared to farming, which was always his principal vocation, though during his early manhood he taught school for a time. When twenty-five years old be married and began farming on his father's place, which he purchased some time later, this farm comprising about one hundred acres, in addition to which he owned two other farms. He prospered greatly in his work, and continued farming until eight years before his death, which occurred Dec. 10, 1887, when he was seventy-four years old. His wife, Catharine Stein, born Aug. 14, 1814, died Sept. 27, 1887. They were members of the Stone Valley Union Church in which he held various offices. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer were the parents of ten children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being: Elias, of Dalmatia, Pa.; John, deceased, who was a resident of Lykens valley, in Dauphin county; Hannah, Mrs. William Seiler; Emeline, Mrs. Emanuel Lark; Caroline, Mrs. Jeremiah Lenker; Benjamin Adam; and Daniel, deceased, who lived in Jordan township. BENJAMIN ADAM BOYER, son of Benjamin, was born March 17, 1853, in Lower Mahanoy township, where he now lives, engaged in farming. He is a typical dark "complected" Boyer, and a representative member of a family noted for enterprise and progressive industry. In his early boyhood he attended both subscription and free schools, and later was a pupil at the Freeburg Academy, in Snyder county, profiting so well by his advantages that when sixteen he began teaching at McKee's school in Lower Mahanoy township. In 1874 he began farming on the place in Lower Mahanoy where he has since resided, a tract of 150 acres made up of two farms, the part on which he lives having formerly been his father's place, the other, which comprises sixty-six acres, having become his by purchase. The former part was originally a Leffler homestead, was next acquired by the Bowman family, and then came into the possession of Benjamin Boyer, father of the present owner, who built a new residence thereon in 1894. It replaced the old log house which had stood for a little over a hundred years, having been erected by the Lefflers, the pioneer settlers on this land. Mr. Boyer was formerly somewhat extensively engaged in the burning of lime, as much as 24,000 bushels per annum. He gave employment to as many as four men, and has throughout his active career proved himself a competent business man. He has been supervisor of his township since 1905. Mr. Boyer and his children are members of the Reformed Church, Mrs. Boyer uniting with the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat in politics. In 1873 Mr. Boyer married Lizzie Coleman, daughter of John and Catharine (Artz) Coleman, granddaughter of John Coleman and great- granddaughter of Charles Coleman. Two children have been born to them: Charles I. is a graduate of the State Normal school at Bloomsburg and of Bucknell University, and for a time was engaged in teaching public school and in a business college at Baltimore, but he is now following his profession of civil engineer, being a member of an engineer corps at Altoona, Pa.; John Benjamin is a END OF PAGE 222 graduate of the Bloomsburg State Normal school and of Bucknell University, and is a highly successful teacher, being at present principal of the high school at Milroy, Mifflin Co., Pennsylvania. JOHN B. LARK, M. D., physician of Trevorton, has practiced at that location for the past five years; having settled there in 1906. He has built up a large patronage in the town and surrounding territory, where he has become well and favorably known for his skill and devotion to his work. Dr. Lark was born Dec. 18, 1876, in Dauphin county, Pa., near Millersburg, but has passed the greater part of his life in Northumberland county. The Lark family is of Swiss origin. George Lark, the Doctor's great-grandfather, was born in Mifflin township, Dauphin county, and became a farmer there. He died at the age of twenty-nine years, and is buried at Buffington Church in his native township. He married Elizabeth Enterline, who married (second) Captain Snyder, or Lykens township, Dauphin county. After the death of her second husband she made her home with her son George, and died there aged, seventy five years. To George and Elizabeth Lark were born four children: Amos and Elizabeth died young; John is mentioned below; George settled at Berrysburg, as a merchant, and was the father of Leon, Elizabeth, Edward, William, B., Mamie, Annie and Clara. John Lark, son of George, was born on the old homestead in Mifflin township, Feb. 7, 1826. He learned the stonemason's trade when a young man, but never followed it. He devoted his time to farming, and died in Salina, Saline Co., Kans., aged seventy-two years, and is buried there. He married Leah Shoop, daughter of Jacob Shoop, and they had two children, George, who died in infancy, and Emanuel S. Emanuel S. Lark, son of John, was born in Mifflin township, on the same farm on which both his father and grandfather were born, Feb. 8, 1853. He attended the local schools, Freeburg Academy, in Snyder county, Berrysburg Seminary and Millersburg Academy. He taught ten terms of school in Dauphin and Northumberland counties, and was very successful as an instructor. Turning his attention to farming on the old homestead, he remained there for three years, after which he farmed for one year in Jackson township, Northumberland county, and then lived two years in Lower Mahanoy township, Northumberland county. In 1880 he came to Shamokin, and found employment in the mines, where he remained about six years. The next five years he passed in a general hauling business, and the succeeding five years as conductor on a freight train for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company. On Oct. 1, 1903, he assumed the duties of his present position, that of superintendent of the Shamokin cemetery, and his efficiency is well attested by the carefully kept condition of that beautiful city of the dead. His residence is at 53 Marshall street. He is a member of St. John's Reformed Church. Mr. Lark has been twice married. In 1873 he married Emeline Boyer, daughter of Benjamin and Catharine (Stine) Boyer, the former of whom was born in Berks county, Pa., of French Huguenot ancestry, later settling in Lower Mahanoy township, Northumberland county. Mrs. Lark was born Oct. 21, 1847, and died April 9, 1895, and was buried in Shamokin cemetery. The following children were born of this union Charles C., now a practicing attorney, of Shamokin; Carrie C., who died aged eighteen years; John B.; Leah B., born in Lower Mahanoy township, living with her father; H. Wilson and Thomas F., overall manufacturers at Shamokin, trading under the firm name of Lark & Lark; Edward H., a salesman for Lark & Lark. Emanuel S. Lark married (second) Nov. 12, 1908, Mrs. Margaret Unpleby, daughter of William and Susan Weitzel. John B. Lark was a young child when his parents moved to Shamokin, where he received his literary education in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1895. He then taught school for six terms, five in Cameron township, this county, and one in the borough of Shamokin, after which he entered upon his medical course, at the Medico- Chirurgical College of Philadelphia. Graduating from that institution in the year 1905, he first located at Shamokin, where he practiced only about eight months, coming to Trevorton in 1906. He has found a large field of work at his present location, and has been most successful in retaining the confidence of his patients. He is a member of the Northumberland County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He holds fraternal association with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of the Reformed Church, and on political questions supports the Republican party. Dr. Lark was married, Feb. 19, 1907, to Harriet M. Stricker, daughter of G. H. Stricker, a well known merchant tailor of Shamokin. They have had two children: George, who died at the age of eleven months, three days; and John. WILLIAM KIEFER, JR., whose association with various business and financial institutions of Mount Carmel has made him well known in many lines of enterprise, has spent practically all his active years in that borough. He began humbly, with nothing but his trade to rely upon, but by intelligent and progressive management has enlarged his field of operations and acquired interests which class him among the most progressive and influential element in the place. Mr. Kiefer was born Nov. 9, 1859, at Schuylkill END OF PAGE 223 Haven, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and is a son of William Kiefer, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1850. He received his education in public school at Frackville, in his native county, and learned the butcher's trade under his father, remaining in Schuylkill county until 1878, when he settled at Mount Carmel. Here he was employed for some time by Charles K. Maurer, who established the first meat market in Mount Carmel, and on Oct. 20, 1885, he entered the same line of business on his own account. By 1889 he had prospered to such an extent that he was able to build the substantial three-story building at No. 608 South Oak street where he has since been located, his store occupying the ground floor, which has been specially equipped for the business. Five years after he began business on his own account his brother Thomas entered into partnership with him, and they have since continued together under the firm name of Kiefer Brothers. They have built up their business until they are considered the leading butchers in Mount Carmel. They run five delivery wagons, do their own killing, and conduct every branch of their work in the most progressive manner, a fact which has had much to do with the unbroken success this firm has enjoyed. Mr. William Kiefer has become interested in so many local public utilities that his name is identified with a great variety of enterprises. He is vice president of the First National Bank of Mount Carmel; treasurer of the Shamokin & Mount Carmel Transit Company; treasurer of the Locust Gap Trolley Company; treasurer of the Mount Carmel Cement Block Company; director of the Mount Carmel Water Company, of the People's Building & Loan Association, and of the Edison Illuminating Company of Mount Carmel. Socially he is a thirty-second- degree Mason, belonging to Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 378, F. & A.M., Williamsport Consistory, and Rajah Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. He is a Democrat but not active in politics, though he has served one term as school director. On Dec. 15, 1887, Mr. Kiefer married Mary A. Eddy, daughter of Peter and Lydia (Wolcock) Eddy, of Shamokin, and they have had six children, three of whom, Roy, William and Grace, are deceased. The survivors are Frederick, Dorothy and Frank. The family are Lutherans in religious connection. Peter Eddy, father of Mrs. Kiefer, was a native of England, born in 1828, and came to America when a young man. He settled at Minersville Schuylkill Co., Pa., and followed mining for many years, later moving to Shamokin, Northumberland county, where he ended his days Aug. 13 1896. He married Lydia Wolcock, daughter of William Wolcock, and their family consisted of eight children, namely: Peter, William, John Mary A. (Mrs. Kiefer), Newton, Amelia, Joseph and George. KIMBER CLEAVER McWILLIAMS, M. D. The McWilliams family has been located in Northumberland county, Pa., for 140 years, and those of the name have been substantial and industrious men and women who have lived upright lives, useful to the community in their respective callings. At the present time at Shamokin is found Dr. Kimber Cleaver McWilliams, a successful physician, vice president and director of the Coal Township Light, Heat & Power Company, director of the Guarantee Trust & Safe Deposit Company, and an official in several other important corporations. William McWilliams came to America from County Armagh, Ireland, and settled at Bristol, Bucks Co., Pa., between 1740 and 1750. With him came his widowed mother, his sister Hannah, and brother John. William McWilliams became a pioneer settler in Turbut township, Northumberland county, settling there soon after the Indian purchase of 1768. In the Pennsylvania Archives he is mentioned as having taken out a warrant for one hundred acres of land in 1772 and again in 1774 a warrant for 306 acres. This tract was in the region known as Chillisquaque, and here he made his home until the time of his death. In the war of the Revolution, during the Indian troubles, Mr. McWilliams and his family were obliged to flee to Fort Augusta for protection, but soon returned to their farms. He supported the cause of the colonies during the war, having appeared before Robert Martin at Northumberland and taken the oath of allegiance, as shown by the following certificate, now in the possession of the family "Northumberland County: I do hereby certify that William McWilliams hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity as directed by an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania passed the 13th day of June, 1777. Witness my Hand and Seal The 12th day of November Anno Dommi 1777. Robt. Martin." [L. S.] Mr. McWilliams died Jan. 11, 1819, aged eighty years. He married Sarah Johnston, who died Oct. 6, 1806, aged fifty-two years. He was a Presbyterian in religious faith. His children were: Hannah, born Oct. 3, 1771 James, Sept. 27, 1773; Thomas, Nov. 27, 1775; Mary, Oct. 3, 1777 (married A. Cruise) Eleanor, Feb. 3, 1780 (married John Scout) William, April 21, 1782 (died Nov. 21, 1853); John, June 28, 1784 (died July 30, 1849); Samuel, Aug. 13, 1786; Philip, Oct. 20, 1788 David, Jan. 19, 1791; Robert, Feb. 3, 1793; Sarah Johnson, 1795; and Joseph Watt, June 17, 1797. David McWilliams, son of William, born Jan. 19, 1791, followed farming, as did his father, all his life. He was first located in Turbut township, but soon after his marriage he located at Elysburg, where he became quite prominent. He died July END OF PAGE 224 2, 1856. He married Jane Craig, born Aug. 19, 1798, died Sept. 29, 1882, daughter of John and Margaret (Johnson) Craig. Nine children were born of this union, as follows: William Watt; Dr. John Craig, who married Esther Schindler, and has a daughter Ida (married Alfred Evans) Robert, who died aged seven years; David Nichol, who married Cecilia Levers Sarah, who married Joseph T. John; Chittillon, who married Margaret Kase; Ellen, who married Joseph B. Craig; Aquilla, who died unmarried; and Jane, unmarried. William Watt McWilliams, son of David, was born July 21, 1821, and died June 1, 1879. He was educated in Milton Academy, and became a civil engineer, a calling he followed all his active life. He assisted in laying out the borough of Shamokin, and was employed in making the survey oŁ the railroad from Shamokin to Sunbury, associated with Kimber Cleaver. He surveyed many of the mines and early coal lands, and maps were made from his measurements. He was very accurate in his work, and had a wide reputation for efficiency. He took an active interest in education, and was one of the founders of the Elysburg Academy. For many years he was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and he was always found cooperating in any measure tending toward the welfare of the community. In politics he was a Republican, but never held political office. On Oct. 13, 1853, in Danville, Montour Co., Pa., he married Catharine Caldwell, born Dec. 15, 1831, died Sept. 7, 1890, daughter of Alexander Caldwell (born May 4, 1800, died Feb. 6, 1856) and his wife Martha (born 1798, died May 7, 1845). To this union were born five children: (1) Clifton Craig, born June 20, 1855, was educated at the Elysburg Academy, and made agriculture his life work. On March 12, 1879, he married Georgiana Jefferis, and they had children: Mary C., born Feb. 3, 1880 (died in infancy); William C., born April 18, 1881; Elizabeth, born Oct. 10, 1884; Howard C., born Feb. 11, 1887; Benjamin J., born June 17, 1892 (died Oct. 2, 1910); and Ralph C., born Aug. 25, 1894. (2) Kimber Cleaver was born Oct. 7, 1857. (3) David Alexander, born Aug. 15, 1859, died at the Presbyterian Hospital, Philadelphia, Sept. 20, 1904. He graduated from Dickinson Seminary, and studied law at Minneapolis, where he practiced for several years, later entering McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, and becoming a Presbyterian minister. He was later professor of History and Sociology at Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania. He married Ada E. Guss, and had children, Craig, David B., William and Stewart. His widow resides at Mifflinburg, Pa. (4) Cora Rebecca was born Sept. 22, 1862. (5) William C., born July 25; 1867, died aged three years. Dr. Kimber Cleaver McWilliams was born at Elysburg Oct. 7, 1857, and attended the public schools and Elysburg Academy, where he taught school for a time. He began the study of medicine under Dr. S. F. Gilbert at Elysburg and later entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1884. He began the practice of his profession at Mainville, Columbia county, but remained there only two months. He then located at Snydertown, Northumberland county, where he continued for two years. In 1886 he located at Shamokin, but having decided to devote himself to special diseases he went to Philadelphia in 1892 and practiced there three years, at the same time taking special lectures on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, at Jefferson hospital. During the last year of his stay in that city he was chief assistant at the eye clinic at the Polyclinic hospital, and was superintendent of the Beacon dispensary during the three years he was there. On completing his course he returned to Shamokin, and has met with great success in his specialties. The Doctor has been active in the business as well as in the professional world. He is a director of the Guarantee Trust & Safe Deposit Company; vice president and director of the Coal Township Light, Heat & Power Company, and director of the Greenough Coal & Coke Company. In 1907 he completed a fine apartment house on Independence street, Shamokin, which contains 121 rooms. The lower floor is given over to stores. This is one of the finest apartment houses in central Pennsylvania. He is looked upon as a shrewd business man, of good executive ability. Dr. McWilliams takes an active part in the work of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Republican. On Oct. 11, 1887, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth J. Chester, of Shamokin. They have three children: Holden Chester, born July 12, 1888, a student at Princeton University; Kimber Cleaver, born July 14, 1890, a student at Princeton University; and Clifton Alexander, born May 8, 1896, attending Lawrenceville School. John Craig, great-grandfather of the Doctor, married Margaret Johnson, and had children: John, born Nov. 7, 1794; Alexander, born Jan. 7, 1796; Jane, born Aug. 19, 1798; Margaret, born Feb. 1, 1800; and James (died young). Catharine Carmichael, great-grandmother of the Doctor, was born in 1766 and died in 1850. She married John Caldwell, and was the mother of Martha, wife of Alexander Caldwell.