Floyd's Northumberland County Genealogy Pages 516 thru 549

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	HAAS.  The Haas family has had many worthy representatives in 
Northumberland county in the last century or so, and the late Dr. Joseph 
Haas, for years a familiar and beloved figure all over the Mahanoy 
Valley, where he practiced medicine for over fifty years, has left 
several sons to perpetuate an honorable name.  The only one who followed 
in his footsteps in the choice of a life work is Dr. Richard P. Haas, of 
Williamstown, Dauphin county; but the other three are still residents of 
their native county, John P. Haas engaged as a merchant at Shamokin. 
Edward L. Haas occupying the old homestead in Jackson township, and 
William H. Haas engaged as a farmer at Dornsife. The late John B. Haas, 
	
	END OF PAGE 516
	
long engaged as a merchant at Sunbury, was also of this family, his 
father, Daniel Haas, having been an uncle of Dr. Joseph Haas.
	The earliest of this name at Sunbury, from which section the 
members of the family have scattered to different locations, was 
Frederick Haas, who died late in November, 1813, and was buried in the 
old South Fourth street cemetery. His son John was his administrator.  
He had a brother Henry, who departed this life in January, 1805; and 
another son, Lawrence, who had been a resident of Jackson township, died 
in the summer of 1803.  In 1814 John and William Haas were taxable 
residents of Little Mahanoy township, this county.
	John Haas, the great-grandfather of John F. Haas, of Shamokin, was 
also one of the pioneers of Sunbury. He came from the Trappe, in 
Montgomery county, Pa., and learned the trade of blacksmith with Paul 
Baldy.  He first engaged in business as a distiller, having built a 
small distillery on the Center turnpike, two miles east of Sunbury, and 
after discontinuing operations there erected a sawmill on the land later 
owned by Dr. R. H. Awl. But the dam was twice washed away, and he was 
ruined financially, being obliged to begin business again on borrowed 
capital - a thousand dollars loaned to him by one of his boyhood 
friends, Joseph Heister, of Reading, who served as governor of 
Pennsylvania. He was thus enabled to engage as a merchant at Sunbury, 
where he was located before 1802 in a small log building on the north 
side of Market street, where the building of the Sunbury Trust & Safe 
Deposit Company is now located.  Before 1808 he erected the brick house 
near the northwest corner of Market and Fourth streets where he 
continued in business for some years.  In 1814 he purchased twenty-three 
acres of land and built the old stone mill known as "Haas's Stone Mill" 
on Little Shamokin creek, in Upper Augusta township, just east of 
Sunbury, operating this mill in connection with his store and becoming 
quite prosperous. Mr. Haas was born in 1764, died Jan. 17, 1828, and is 
buried in the old South Fourth street cemetery at Sunbury.  He was a 
member of the Reformed Church. His wife, Maria Elizabeth (Druckemiller), 
born May 2, 1770, died Nov. 16, 1845.  They were the parents of the 
following children; Henry lived and died at Sunbury, where he was 
proprietor of the "Central Hotel"; Frederick is mentioned below; Daniel 
always lived in Sunbury, where he was born in 1806, and at the time of 
his death was the oldest native resident of that borough; George died 
Nov. 3, 1835, aged thirty-six years; Margaret married John Shammo and 
they lived at Millersburg, Pa., until their removal to Rockford, Ill.  
(Mrs. Shammo's nephew,  Charles Haas, visited them there in 1872); 
Catharine married John Boulton and they made their home in Sunbury.
	Frederick Haas, son of John, was born in Sunbury July 31, 1796, 
conducted the Haas mill for some years, and was a popular and esteemed 
citizen of his day, well known all over the county. He was a Democrat in 
politics (as were all his sons) and stood favorably in the party. Having 
been chosen to fill an unexpired term as county commissioner, he was at 
the end of the term elected to serve a full three years; 1856-59, 
discharging his. duties with the highest intelligence and efficiency. 
Mr. Haas married Sarah Zimmerman, who was born June 20, 1798, and died 
Sept. 30, 1862, a little over a year after his own death, which occurred 
Aug. 19, 1861. They are buried in the family plot in the South Fourth 
street cemetery.  Mr. and Mrs. Haas were members of the German Reformed 
Church, in which he was long a zealous worker, holding various offices 
and attending services with great regularity. He took his children with 
him to Sunday morning worship and sat among them, and though a strict 
parent he was a most loving one. He had a large family, twelve children, 
as follows: John (July 12, 1819 - Feb. 20, 1846), Mary Elizabeth (Aug. 
20, 1820 - May 9, 1845, wife of John Hower), William, Deborah, Sarah, 
George (Dec. 17, 1827 - March 31, 1845), Dr. Joseph, Catharine and 
Margaret (twins), Charles, Henry and Amelia.
	JOSEPH HAAS, M. D., son of Frederick, was born Jan. 17, 1830, in 
Upper Augusta township near Sunbury, and was there reared on the farm 
receiving his early education in the local schools He also learned 
milling with his father, but at the age of nineteen he began the study 
of medicine with Dr. J. W. Peal, of Sunbury, completing his course at 
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1852.  
From that time until his death, for over fifty years, he was located at 
Mahanoy, in Jackson township, and had an extensive practice in the 
Mahanoy Valley where his long and faithful ministrations caused him to 
be venerated and beloved by all who knew him. His record is one of 
remarkable devotion to his chosen life work.  No weather was ever to 
inclement to serve him as an excuse for not attending a patient, and 
though he was in his seventy-fifth year at the time of his death, Jan. 
30, 1905, he was on his way to respond to a professional call when heart 
failure, brought on by cold and exposure, suddenly brought his useful 
life to its close.  He had started out in his sleigh over a cold country 
road, and a passing traveler, noticing his position and stopping to 
investigate, found him lifeless.  He was only about half a mile from his 
home at the time.  Few men have been more widely mourned, or more keenly 
missed for his friends and patients, particularly 
	
	END OF PAGE 517
	
in the country districts in the southwestern part of the county, were 
numerous.  He was buried at St. Peter's church.  Dr. Haas owned a farm 
of about two hundred acres in Jackson township and looked after its 
cultivation, which he found quite profitable.  He was a Democrat in 
polities and though not active in public matters with any idea of 
obtaining favors for himself took an interest in such things as affected 
the general welfare.  He was instrumental in the establishment of the 
free school system in his township and served as a member of the first 
school board.  Socially he was a Mason, holding membership in lodge No. 
22, F. & A.M., of Sunbury.
	On Oct. 23, 1855, Dr. Haas married Mary Frances Peal, (daughter of 
Dr. John W. Peal, of Sunbury, and they were looking forward to the 
celebration of the golden anniversary of their marriage when he was so 
suddenly taken away.  Mrs. Haas, who is now (1910) eighty-one years old, 
lives at the old homestead with her son Edward; she has been blind since 
November, 1904.  Four sons were born to Dr. and Mrs. Haas: Dr. Richard 
P., of Williamstown, Pa.; John P.; Edward L.; and William H., a farmer 
at Dornsife, Northumberland county.
	JOHN P. HAAS, son of Dr. Joseph, was born Sept. 4, 1858, in Jackson 
township, where he was reared.  He began his education in the local 
schools, later attending Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport Pa.  
Returning to Jackson township, he worked upon the home farm until he 
attained his majority, since which time he has been a resident of 
Shamokin.  He began life here as a clerk, and after gaining the 
necessary experience embarked in business on his own account, in 1893, 
establishing himself in the grocery business at Sixth and Spruce 
streets, where he is still located.  He does a large business, being one 
of the foremost merchants in his line in the West End of Shamokin. He is 
a director of the Market Street National Rank and of the West and Black 
Diamond Building and Loan Associations.  His business affairs have 
prospered under judicious management, and he is a substantial and 
respected citizen, giving all his time to his private interests and 
taking no part in public matters. He is a Democrat politically, and 
fraternally a member of the I.O.O.F., Royal Arcanum and Woodmen of the 
World.  His religious connection is with the United Evangelical Church.
	Mr. Haas married Sarah A. Zartman, and they have had a family of 
seven children: Charles W. died in infancy; F. May graduated from the 
Shamokin high school in 1900 and has taught public school in that 
borough eight years; Howard R. graduated from the Shamokin high school 
in 1904 and is now in the office of Kearney & Raker, attorneys (he 
married Estella E. Zaring); Clarence R. graduated from the high school 
in 1906 and is now engaged as bookkeeper for the Shamokin Lumber & 
Manufacturing Company; Willard F. died in infancy; Chester A. and Grace 
Z. are still in school.
	Mrs. Sarah A. (Zartman) Haas was born Nov. 12, 1857, in Jackson 
township, daughter of Daniel and Catharine (Seiler) Zartman, and 
granddaughter of Martin Zartman, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., who 
on removing to Northumberland county settled in Jackson township.  He is 
buried at Kneass station, in that township.  His children were Daniel, 
Samuel, Isaac and Elizabeth.
	Daniel Zartman, father of Mrs. Haas, followed farming upon the 
homestead in Jackson township, where he died.  His children were: 
Harriet died aged twenty-one years; Daniel died when five years old;  
Isaac married Elizabeth Daniels, and died at the age of forty-three; 
Mary is the widow of David Knorr; Rebecca married H. B. Longsdorff; 
Samuel married Susan Fenstermacher: Elizabeth married H. S. Zimmerman; 
Sarah A. is the wife of John P. Haas, of Shamokin.

	EDWARD L. HAAS, son of Dr. Joseph, was horn Nov. 10, 1860, on the 
farm in Jackson township where he now resides, near Mahanoy.  He 
acquired his early schooling in the township, and later was a student at 
Berrysburg Academy and the State normal school at Lock Haven, Pa.  Mr. 
Haas has always followed farming, working for his father until the 
latter's death.  In the spring of 1910 he purchased his father's 
homestead place, a tract of forty-six acres, upon which he lives, and 
which formerly belonged to Sylvester Hilbush, earlier to his father, 
Jacob Hilbush, who built the present barn (Aug. 13, 1839) and the large 
brick house (1855). Mr. Haas is an industrious farmer, intelligent in 
his business transactions and bearing the highest reputation for 
integrity and solid worth. He has served his township as school 
director, and has also been quite active in the Lutheran congregation of 
St. Peter's Church at Mahanoy, where he and his family worship and of 
which he has been deacon two years.  He is a Democrat in his political 
views.
	On Nov. 20, 1888, Mr. Haas married Clara Raker, daughter of D. Z. 
and Annie (Dornsife) Raker, of Little Mahanoy township.  They have had 
four children: Claud (who died of typhoid fever May 18, 1906, aged 
seventeen years), Effie, Lester Leroy and Willie Raker.

	CHARLES HAAS, who is now living retired in Sunbury, was born Jan. 
6, 1835, at "Haas's Mill," where all his brothers and sisters were born.  
He learned the milling business from his father and continued to follow 
it for seventeen years, after which, until his retirement, he was 
engaged at various vocations. He filled various township offices, and 
for ten years was janitor of the First 
	
	END OF PAGE 518
	
Presbyterian church, giving up that work in the spring of 1910.  He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and a venerable and esteemed resident 
of the borough in which he makes his home.
	Mr. Haas married Sarah Houck, who was born Jan. 4, 1830, and died 
April 16, 1894.  She is buried in the South Fourth street cemetery.  
Seven children were born to this union: David, John C. (deceased), Henry 
E. (deceased), Mary A., Franklin C., Samuel E., and Emma J. (deceased).
	Daniel Haas, son of John, was a native of Sunbury, Pa., born in 
1806, and at the time of his death, Jan. 9, 1891, was the oldest native 
resident of that borough, where he spent all his life. He was a 
cabinetmaker, and had an establishment in Sunbury, which he long 
conducted in partnership with George Renn.  They did an extensive 
business in their day, making furniture and bedsteads, and also carried 
on an undertaking business. Daniel Haas died at the age of eighty-five 
years, his wife Margaret (Zimmerman) when seventy-five years old.  They 
are buried in the old South Fourth street cemetery.  Six sons and six 
daughters were born to the couple: Peter, now (1911) seventy-eight years 
old, lives in Sunbury; Samuel died in Council Bluffs, Iowa (he became 
very wealthy, making his fortune in cattle ranches, and in the packing 
business; he left a family who still live out there, his sons Harry and 
Charles being at Council Bluffs); John B. is mentioned below; Albert 
died at Sunbury, where his widow, Lucy (Heim), is still living; William, 
who died in Sunbury, was a soldier in the Civil war; Jerry was killed 
while in active service in the Civil war;  Elizabeth died of typhoid 
fever at Sunbury in her twentieth year; Miss Harriet Haas lives at No. 
231 South Fourth street, Sunbury, she and her brother Peter making their 
home together; Clara married Jacob Swank, train dispatcher of Sunbury, 
Pa., for the Pennsylvania Railway Company; Catharine married Dr. Elijah 
Franklin Orser, and she lives with her sister Harriet and brother Peter; 
twin daughters died small.  The six sons were born first, then the six 
daughters.

	JOHN B. HAAS was born in Sunbury Dec. 6, 1835, and was there 
educated in the public schools. He became a grocer and fruit dealer in 
Sunbury, handling large quantities of fruit, and also dealt extensively 
in potatoes, buying apples and potatoes by the carload.  He bought beans 
in large quantities from New York, where entire fields were devoted to 
their cultivation, and throughout his life was a successful business 
man, widely and favorably known. His business establishment was near the 
First National Bank, and the property at No. 242 Market Square still 
belongs to his widow. His home was at No. 320 Arch street for thirty-
eight years.
	On Dec. 28, 1868, Mr. Haas was married, after a romantic courtship, 
to Emma Thayer, daughter of James and Zenecia (Bassett) Thayer, who 
lived in Yates county, N. Y.  Mr. Haas had gone to New York to buy 
apples, and thus came to deal with James Thayer, whose daughter Emma he 
subsequently married.  It was a case of love at first sight between 
these young people, and a happier union never was known. She is of 
"Yankee" origin, being a descendant in the ninth generation from the 
famous Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island.  The Eddy family, to 
which Zenecia Bassett, her mother's mother, belonged, intermarried with 
the Williams family. Mrs. Haas is a member of Fort Augusta Chapter, D. 
A. R., of Sunbury, and is the present secretary of that organization, of 
which she was treasurer five years.  She is a prominent member of the 
Iris Literary Club of Sunbury, of which she is the librarian. This club, 
which has a membership of fifty, meets once a week at the home of Judge 
Savidge, whose wife, Mrs. C. R. Savidge, is president. It subscribes to 
a traveling historical library conducted under the auspices of the State 
of Pennsylvania and has proved a most interesting organization as well 
as an avenue of culture to all who enjoy its privileges.
	To Mr. and Mrs. Haas were born three daughters: Eva Thayer is the 
wife of Dr. J. B. Cressinger, a prominent physician of Sunbury; Cora B. 
married Bert S. Hopkins, a jeweler and optician, and they live at Penn 
Yan, N. Y., where Mrs. John B. Haas spends her summers; Mary died of 
diphtheria in 1881, aged six years.  Mr. Haas was an Episcopalian, like 
the other members of his family.

	BENJAMIN F. W. LATSHAW, a retired farmer of Jackson township, in 
his active years one of the prominent citizens and business men of his 
section, was born there May 19, 1845, in the house built by his great-
grandfather, Henry Latsha, and which he and his son still occupy.
	Henry Latsha and his brother Johannes (grand-father of the late 
Frederick W. Latsha, of Washington township) were the founders of the 
Latsha or Latshaw family now represented among the best citizens of this 
part of Northumberland county.  They were pioneers in this region, and 
both are buried in the graveyard of St. Peter's Church at Mahanoy.  The 
earlier home of the family in this country was in Berks county, Pa., and 
we give something of its history as found in a recent Berks county work.  
One Frantz (John Francis) Latshar, a native of Switzerland, came to 
America on the "Mortonhouse," which qualified at Philadelphia Aug. 24, 
1728.  On the list of passengers his name is spelled "Frans Latshow." 
His first settlement in Pennsylvania was near a place called Upland, in 
Chester county, 
	
	END OF PAGE 519
	
where he remained a few years, and then went to Oley, Berks county, 
later settling in the Tulpehocken Valley in the latter county, where he 
died.  He made a permanent home in Colebrookdale township. His last will 
and testament, made on 1781, was probated Oct. 29, 1795. He was twice 
married, the first time in Switzerland, and tradition says his first 
wife died leaving him a number of small children and no one to help in 
the house.  Accordingly he went to Philadelphia (the pioneers were 
obliged to do in those days for merchandise or help) for a woman to look 
after his home. and children. He was told of a young woman of good 
repute whose husband, a Mr. Gabel, had died on the voyage to America, 
leaving his wife with two small children. At Philadelphia she began a 
struggling life with her children, finding a place as servant in a 
Germantown family. Mr. Latshar became acquainted with her, persuaded her 
to accompany him home as house keeper, and later they were married.  Her 
son Henry Gabel, was taken along with them, and early in life was taken 
into the Rutter household, the Rutters being the early iron-masters of 
Colebrookdale, and he fell heir to some of the Rutter money, also being 
remembered in his stepfather's will. He was a Mennonite, and is buried 
at Boyertown; his birth occurred in 1734. Frantz Latshar and his second 
wife had children also. Her maiden name was Sowers, and she was from the 
Tulpehocken Valley, in Berks county.  He left a large estate, which he 
divided equally among his children, those mentioned in his will, as 
recorded in Book B, page 398, being John, Frantz,  Abraham, Jacob, Mary 
Lantes (Landis), Henry Gabel (step-son), Rebecca Shelly (deceased, the 
mother of six children), and Catharine Lantz (stepdaughter), of whom 
Abraham lived on the Hereford township (Berks county) farm and Frantz 
elsewhere in the same township. We have the following account of the 
sons.
	John Latsha lived in Colebrookdale township,. where he died in 
1794. He made his will in 1787 (Will Book B, page 360), dividing his 
estate among his brothers and sisters.  He made his home with his 
brother Jacob, and if he was married he had no children.
	Frantz Latshar (Latchar) made his will April 1, 1802, and it was 
probated July 1st of the same year.  His wife Esther survived him and 
was given 400 pounds in gold. They had three sons,. Frantz and Jacob 
receiving all the land in Hereford township, and John the homestead.
	Abraham Latshar lived in the section of Colebrookdale township now 
included in Washington township. He died in 1814. His will, in English 
script, but German words, is on record in Volume 4, page 114. His 
children were: Samuel, Johannes, Jacob, Anna, Elizabeth, Catharine, 
Heinrich, Alexander and Abraham. The record from which this is taken 
says Heinrich (Henry) lived for a time in Clayton, Berks county, and 
then left for parts unknown. Evidently,  he is the Henry Latsha who 
founded the Northumberland county branch of the family with which this 
article deals, and Henry and Johannes (born in Washington township, 
Berks county, 1756, died 1810) Latsha were brothers and sons of Abraham 
Latsha (Latshar).  According to the family Johannes was a son of the 
emigrant, but that does not agree with the more complete account, and as 
John the son of Frantz received his father's homestead it seems more 
likely Johannes was the son of Abraham. And further, it is said that 
among his father's children were also Henry, who settled in Mahanoy 
township (which then included a large part of the lower end of 
Northumberland county) before the Revolutionary war, and Abraham, who 
settled in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland county.
	Henry Latsha, recorded as son of Abraham and Catharine (Sauer) 
Latsha, was born Aug. 21, 1754, in this country, was baptized by Rev. 
Mr. Duppendorf, and confirmed by him, when twenty-seven years old, in 
the faith of the German Reformed Church.  He was early in Northumberland 
county, his name appearing in the list of taxables of Mahanoy township  
for 1778.  He took up 373 acres of land in what is now Jackson township, 
near Mahanoy, on the Mahanoy creek, by warrant from the Province of 
Pennsylvania dated July 11, 1769, and ninety-five acres of this tract 
have never been in any other name. It is now owned by. B. F. W. Latshaw, 
great grandson of Henry Latsha. The Latsha pumping station is built on 
the land taken up by Henry Latsha.  The first house which he built stood 
about sixteen feet due east from the present residence, and was 
accidentally destroyed by fire shortly before 1798, in which year the 
dwelling which still stands was erected. It was built of logs, now 
weather-boarded, and is still in fine condition, being occupied by 
Benjamin F. W. Latshaw and his son B. B. Latshaw and family.  Thus the 
sixth generation eats and sleeps in the house which sheltered the 
pioneer Henry Latsha, who died there Aug. 7, 1823.  He is buried at St. 
Peter's Church, Mahanoy. Henry Latsha followed farming, and had all the 
experiences which confronted the adventurer into these regions in those 
primitive days.  The Indians were his neighbors; he shot many a deer, 
and wolves and bears were not uncommon in this section then,  the creeks 
swarmed with fish, which the coal dirt and sulfur attendant upon modern 
industrial operations have killed. A man of more than ordinary 
education, he conducted a typical subscription school of the time, the 
"Lehrer" receiving two or two and a half cents per pupil daily in 
exchange for the elementary educational privileges then afford-
	
	END OF PAGE 520
	
ed. A family or baptismal record, 10 by 18 inches, printed on heavy 
paper, in red ink, made by Henry Latsha, is a tangible testimonial of 
his skill and acquirements, and is a highly prized possession of his 
great-grandson, Benjamin Latshaw.  He was nearly six feet in height, 
well built, weighing about one hundred and ninety pounds, and possessed 
the endurance necessary for  a successful battle with the conditions of 
those early days. He used to walk to and from Washington township, Berks 
county, where his people lived, and while making the trip one winter 
lost his path on the Broad (Blue) mountain; in order to keep from 
freezing to death he forced himself to walk all night around a big tree, 
but in spite of his heroic efforts the toes of both feet had to be 
amputated. 
	On Aug. 30, 1781, Henry Latsha married Mrs. Catharina Fredericka 
(Schoft) Emrich, Rev. Mr. Enderlein performing the ceremony.  One son, 
Henry, was born to this union. Mrs. Latsha was born May 8, 1745, at 
Dorrenbach, Germany, daughter of Jacob and Mary Margaretha (Kunst) 
Schott, and was baptized by Rev. John Daniel Engel, her Sponsors being 
Conrad Rab and his wife Catharina Frederica Irbach.  She was brought to 
this country in 1754 and confirmed in 1759 by Pastor Kurtz, of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church, and on April 11, 1765, she became the wife 
of Valentine Emrich, Rev. Mr. Kurtz marrying them. Four sons and one 
daughter were born to her union with Mr. Emrich. Mrs. Latsha died March 
17, 1811.
	Henry Latsha, only son of Henry, was born March 3, 1783, in 
Northumberland county, and became a farmer, owning the farm which now 
belongs to his grandson, Benjamin F. W. Latshaw. He also engaged in 
merchandising, owning the first store in his section of the county, his 
business establishment standing opposite the present home of Elias 
Hilbush, near the Latsha pumping station. Mr. Hilbush's farm was part of 
the tract of 373 acres taken up by Henry Latsha. A hollow is now the 
only indication of the site of the store. Mr. Latsha obtained his 
merchandise by team from Philadelphia or Reading, whither he also hauled 
what he had to sell or exchange.  Like his father he was a man of more 
than ordinary intellectual acquirements for the day, and he was a 
substantial and influential citizen.  He died Feb. 21, 1863, when only a 
little less than eighty years old, and is buried at St. Peter's Church, 
Mahanoy, of which he was a Reformed member. His wife, who was a daughter 
of John Michael Emrich (born in 1757), was born Aug. 11, 1785, and died 
June 29, 1861.  They had three sons and three daughters: Catharine died 
unmarried; Henry married a Miss Blasser and (second) Rebecca Lease; 
Jacob married Eliza Grissinger; Sallie died unmarried; Elizabeth married 
Henry Rodger; Michael was the father of Benjamin F. Latshaw.
	Michael Latsha, son of Henry, was born Oct. 21, 1813, on one part 
of the homestead farm, and himself became a farmer, owning eighty-four 
acres of the tract of 373 acres taken up by his grandfather.  One John 
Daniel now owns the 84-acre farm.  Michael Latsha had a coal yard at 
Latsha pumping station and dealt in coal for many years; owned and 
operated the gristmill on the Mahanoy now owned and operated by S. J. 
Wilkinson; engaged in butchering; and in his various undertakings proved 
himself a man of much more than ordinary business ability. He served as 
supervisor and in other township offices, and was active in the work of 
St. Peter's Church, at Mahanoy, being a prominent member of the Lutheran 
congregation, which he served in every official capacity.  He was a 
regular attendant at divine services, and for many years one of the most 
faithful supporters and workers of that church. In politics he was a 
Democrat. Mr. Latsha died July 12, 1868, and is buried at St. Peter's. 
His wife, Sarah (Wolf), was born March 18, 1816, and died Dec. 13, 1885.  
She was a daughter of Anthony Wolf, whose wife, nee Kneiss, was captured 
by the Indians when quite young and held in captivity for six years. To 
Michael and Sarah (Wolf) Latsha were born children as follows: Henry, 
born Oct. 22, 1838, died July 29, 1870, married Elizabeth Kobel, born 
Aug. 25, 1840, died April 4, 1892; Daniel married Mary Reitz; Mary 
married Andrew Geist; Hannah married Peter Keiffer; Benjamin Franklin W. 
is mentioned below; Sarah married John Brower, Sr.; Lovina married Adam 
Trautman; William married Mary Treon; Galen married Alice Zartman.
	(N. B.: One Henry Latsha had another tract of land in Jackson 
township which extended westward from the farm of the late Rev. J. 
Charles Smith, located on the road between Mahanoy and Mandata.  This 
tract was one and a half miles long and extended east and west from one 
mountain to the other, embracing the whole valley. This, however, he 
sold. Either Henry the pioneer or his son owned this valley.)
	Benjamin F. W. Latshaw was reared to farm life, and during his 
father's lifetime also assisted in the mill and the coal-yard, later 
conducting the coal yard which his father had established. He has sold 
large quantities of coal in his time. Mr. Latsha had a successful 
business career, from which he retired in 1904, and he has ever since 
made his home with his son, B. B. Latshaw, and family. He is a tall man, 
six feet in height, and stout, weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, 
and he enjoys robust health and a good memory, being thoroughly 
conversant with the early history of his district as well as with the 
genealogy of his family, in which he is much interested.  In 
	
	END OF PAGE 521
	
politics he is a Democrat and has served as supervisor of Jackson 
township.  He and his family have long been Lutheran members of St 
Peter's Church at Mahanoy, in whose work he has been active, having 
served as deacon, elder, trustee and treasurer.
	On March 29, 1874, Mr. Latshaw married Wilhelmina Schweinhart, 
daughter of James Schweinhart (whose wife was a Kobel), and she died 
June 11, 1904, aged fifty-five years, six months, six days. She is 
buried at St. John's Church, at Latsha station.
	BURLINGTON BENJAMIN LATSHAW, only child of Benjamin F. W. and 
Wilhelmina (Schweinhart)  Latshaw, was born  Aug. 27, 1877, in the old 
Latsha home where he still lives.  He worked on the pipe line for some 
years, but since 1904, when his mother died and his father retired, he 
has been farming the homestead place. He is a substantial and respected 
young farmer of his community. On Aug. 27, 1896, he married Sarah 
Stetler, daughter of Rev. I. M. Stetler, formerly of Mahanoy, now the 
Lutheran pastor at Trevorton. Seven children have been born to this 
union: Millie (deceased), Ralph, Anna, Luther, Paul, Fred and Daniel.

	WITMER.  The Witmer family, which has many representatives in 
Northumberland county at this day, was founded there by Christophel 
Witmer, who by his wife Christina had children as follows: Christophel 
(1762-1825), Sarah (1767-1852), Heinrich (1758-1825), Mathias (June 10, 
1757 - May 5, 1824) and Mrs. Daniel Zerbe.  The Witmers with which this 
article deals are descended from the sons Mathias and Christophel.
	Mathias Witmer, son of Christophel, was born June 10, 1757, and 
died May 5, 1824.  His son Johannes, born March 12, 1797, died Oct. 12, 
1823.
	Daniel Witmer, son of Mathias, was an extensive farmer, owning the 
farm which is now the property of Joel Lahr, in Lower Mahanoy township.  
He followed agricultural pursuits all his life.  He is buried at the 
Zion's Stone Valley Church. He was three times married, by his first 
wife having children as follows: Jacob, Fannie, Daniel and Elizabeth 
(wife of Elias Hoover). (At the Stone Valley Church is buried Susana, 
wife of Daniel Witmer, born Oct. 29, 1798, died Jan. 15, 1831.)
	Jacob Witmer, son of Daniel, was born Feb. 7, 1807, and died Sept. 
23, 1885. He was a black-smith by trade and also followed farming, 
living on and working the place now occupied by his son Isaac, having 
the forty-acre tract.  He held local office, serving as tax collector, 
and was an active member of the Reformed Church, which he served in 
various official capacities. He was twice married, his first wife, 
Sallie, daughter of Heinrich Hepner, born April 15, 1809, dying Feb. 6, 
1864. His second wife was Catharine (Bonawitz), widow of Michael Radel.  
All his eleven children were born to the first union: Kate, Benneville, 
Harry, Anna, Amanda, Mary, Louise,  Jesse, Sarah, Isaac H. and Lizzie.
	ISAAC H. WITMER, son of Jacob, was born Jan. 13, 1849, in lower 
Mahanoy township, Northumberland county.  He was reared to farm life, 
working for his parents until he attained his majority, since when he 
has followed agricultural pursuits on his own account.  For five years 
before settling on the place where he has made his home since March, 
1881, he was a tenant in this district.  His forty-acre tract is located 
a mile west of Uniontown (Pillow), near the Witmer schoolhouse, and 
formed a part of the old Daniel Witmer homestead.  Since 1886 Mr. Witmer 
has done business as a huckster, selling his produce in Shamokin, to 
which borough he makes weekly trips.  He is a substantial and respected 
citizen of his neighborhood.
	On Aug. 18, 1873, Mr. Witmer married Lucetta Lenker, daughter of 
Isaac Lenker, and they have had one daughter, Clara, who is now the wife 
of Morris Snyder, of Uniontown.  Mr. Witmer and his family are Reformed 
members of Zion's Stone Valley Church, which he is serving as trustee. 
The church is the third on that site, the first house of worship there 
having been erected in 1775, the second in 1796 and the present edifice 
in 1900.  In politics Mr. Witmer is a Democrat, and he has served his 
township as school director.
	Christophel Witmer (2), son of Christophel, was born in 1762 and 
died in 1825. He is buried at the Stone Valley Church. He lived near 
Malta (Vera Cruz) in lower Mahanoy township, owning the farm which is 
still in the family name, it having been acquired after his death by 
Elias Witmer, whose son Harvey C. Witmer now owns it. The place 
comprises 136 acres, and Christophel Witmer (2) probably built the 
present dwelling thereon.  It was he who built the old 100-foot log 
barn, which was razed in 1855, the present barn on the property being 
the third. He married a Miss Reed, and they had children as follows:  
John; George; Michael; and daughters Sally  (married Dietrich Snyder), 
Christiana, (married Peter Heckert), Elizabeth  (married Casper 
Heckert), Mary (married Nicholas Bingeman), and Catharine (married 
Samuel Borrel).
	John Witmer, son of Christophel (2), and grandfather of Hon. 
Charles B. Witmer, of Sunbury, was believed to be a lineal descendant or 
Peter Witmer, one of four brothers - Michael, Ulrich, Peter and John - 
who came from the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, crossing the ocean in 
the ship "Hope of London," which arrived at Philadelphia in August 1733. 
On Aug. 28, 1733, the 
	
	END OF PAGE 522
	
older brothers took the oath of allegiance.  All four brothers settled 
in Lancaster county, Peter later removing to Lebanon county, where he 
died. The Witmers removed to Northumberland county from Lebanon county, 
as did also the Lenkers, to which family belonged John Witmer's wife, 
whose maiden name was Anna Maria Lenker. She was horn in 1797, daughter 
of Adam Lenker, and died in 1865. John Witmer was born Aug. 2, 1792, in 
Lower Mahanoy township, and died Dec. 1, 1872. He was a farmer, owning 
and cultivating a 100-acre place, and was well known in the Reformed 
Church, being a prominent. member of the Zion's Stone Valley Church, in 
which he held various offices.  His children were David, Isaac L., Polly 
and William. The three sons died within a period of  six months.
	David Witmer, son of John, was born on his father's homestead.  In 
young manhood he was a tenant farmer, but he prospered and died in 
comfortable circumstances, owning a 191-acre farm in Jordan township.  
He was a man of influence and intelligence, active in promoting the 
general welfare as well as successful in the management of his personal 
interests, served twenty-five years as justice of the peace, was 
supervisor, and filled other local offices. In political affiliation he 
was a Democrat. In religion a member of the Reformed Church, he was 
active in the church at Uniontown, where he belonged, serving as a 
deacon, elder and trustee, assisting in the erection of the present 
church edifice, and proving himself a valuable church worker in many 
capacities. He married Polly, daughter of Jacob Hoffman (who married a 
Weiser), and of the seven children born to them five died in infancy or 
early childhood, the survivors being John H. and Jacob F.

	JOHN H. WITMER, son of David, was born May 8, 1851, on the farm of 
his maternal grandfather, Jacob Hoffman. He received his education in 
the subscription and free schools which flourished during his boyhood, 
and was reared to farming from the time he was old enough to work, 
assisting his parents until he reached his majority. It was in the 
spring of 1877 that he commenced farming in Lower Mahanoy, the township 
where he has since made his home. His place is a valuable tract of 107 
acres located on the road from Vera Cruz (Malta) to Uniontown (Pillow), 
and was formerly the Peter Reitz homestead, after his day having been 
owned by Michael Radel, who built the present barn.  Mr. Witmer owns a 
farm adjoining his home place, originally the David Lenker homestead and 
later owned by Henry Lahr, consisting of 143 acres.  His sound business 
judgment and thrifty management have brought him prosperity, and he has 
shown an intelligence in conducting his affairs which has won him 
general respect and confidence among his neighbors. Moreover, he has 
been a useful man in the administration of local public affairs, having 
held the offices of school director, supervisor and assessor, his 
services covering many years.  In politics he is a Democrat. He and his 
family are members of the Uniontown Reformed Church, but he has not been 
particularly active in its work, having declined office.
	On Oct. 9, 1875, Mr. Witmer was married to Catharine Hoke, daughter 
of Elias and Sarah (Goodman) Hoke, of Jordan township.  Four children 
have been born to them: Joseph, unmarried, lives at home; Lizzie is the 
wife of John Adam Snyder, a farmer in Lower Mahanoy township; Mary Etta 
married Daniel T. Heckert, son of Emanuel Heckert, and they live on a 
farm adjoining her father's; John F., who married Susan Deppen,, 
daughter of Samuel Deppen, is a stenographer and typewriter, and also 
taught school a number of years.
	Isaac L. Witmer, son of John, was born Oct. 21, 1826, and died Oct. 
9, 1895. He married Annie Bubb, daughter of Michael Bubb and 
granddaughter of Philip Bubb, who came to America from Germany when 
sixteen years old and settled in Mahanoy township, Northumberland 
county. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac L. Witmer were born thirteen children, 
nine of whom grew to maturity.

	CHARLES B. WITMER, son of Isaac L. and Annie (Bubb) Witmer, was 
born April 18, 1862, in Lower Mahanoy township, and there spent his 
early life on his father's farm, attending school during the winter and 
helping with the farm work in the summer season.  In the fall of 1879 he 
became a student in the Uniontown select school, and the same year was 
licensed to teach, taking the school at Georgetown, Northumberland 
county.  When the term ended he entered the Millersburg high school and 
also attended the Berrysburg Teachers' normal for several weeks. He next 
taught in his native township, and in the spring of 1881 entered Union 
Seminary (now Central Pennsylvania College) at New Berlin, Pa. Meanwhile 
he supported himself by teaching and other work until his graduation 
from that institution, in 1883. The next year he became principal of the 
Georgetown high school. In the fall of 1884 he took the preliminary 
examination and began the study of law under the tutorage of the late C. 
G. Voris, who at that time was located at Sunbury. Alternating his 
studies with educational work, he was in the summer of 1886 principal of 
the Snyder County Teachers' Normal Institute. In February, 1887, he was 
admitted to the Northumberland county bar, and at once opened an office 
in Sunbury.  In the spring of 1889 he was admitted to practice in the 
Supreme court of the State, and the same year he was appointed solicitor 
for Northumberland county.  On Aug. 20, 1889, he was chosen as the 
Republican nominee for the office of district attorney.  His next honor 
was as delegate to the 
	
	END OF PAGE 523
	
Constitutional convention from the Twenty-seventh Senatorial District, 
comprising Northumberland, Union and Snyder counties. Following he 
served six years as county solicitor.  In 1901 he was the Republican 
nominee for president judge of the Northumberland county courts, but was 
defeated by the small majority of 68 votes after a heated contest.  This 
remarkable campaign, however, had the effect of bringing him prominently 
before the people, and from that time to the present he has been the 
leader of his party in Northumberland county. In 1909 he was appointed 
Assistant Attorney in the United States Department of Justice, at 
Washington, D. C., assigned to the defense of the government against 
claims arising out of the Spanish-American war, settled by the Spanish 
Treaty Claims Commission. He held that position until he resigned, in 
1904, to assume the duties of chief counsel for the Dairy and Food 
Department of the State of Pennsylvania, and in February, 1905, he was 
promoted to the auditor general's department, as special counsel for 
same. In 1906 he was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt United 
States marshal for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. In 1908 he 
resigned that office, receiving from President Roosevelt that year his 
appointment as United States district attorney. On the 8th of March, 
1911, he was appointed, by President W. H. Taft, United States District 
judge. It is a generally recognized fact that Mr. Witmer's advancement 
professionally and officially, is due to his own efforts, and he is all 
the more honored because of this fact. He has made his way against 
obstacles of many kinds, and has pursued his ambitions in spite of the 
opposition which confronted the self-made man, only serving to stimulate 
him in following his ideals to their realization. The high position he 
now holds and which he has long enjoyed in the councils of the 
Republican party proves that he not only makes friends, but has the 
faculty of holding them, and the ability to make good in whatever 
position he is placed.
	Mr. Witmer is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, and is also a 
member of the Odd Fellows, the S. P. K. and the P.O.S. of A. He has held 
official position in all the orders to which he belongs. His religious 
connection is with the First Reformed Church of Sunbury, which he has 
long served as a member of the official board; he also was formerly 
prominently identified with the Sunday school work.
	On Oct. 17, 1885, Mr. Witmer married Mollie Beaver, daughter of 
Isaac Beaver, of Middleburg, Snyder Co., Pa., and they are the parents 
of three children, namely  John, who is now a college student; and 
Catharine and Isabella, both of whom are attending public school. Mr. 
Witmer is devoted to his home and family, with whom he spends much time, 
and he and his wife are noted for their kindliness and hospitable 
disposition, enjoying the good-will of a host of friends.
	FRANCIS  A. WITMER, son of Isaac L. and Annie (Bubb) Witmer, was 
born Oct. 28, 1877, in Lower  Mahanoy township, where he obtained his 
early education. Later he attended a summer school at Elizabethville, 
and the Central Pennsylvania College at New Berlin, and when seventeen 
he taught for part of a school term at Washington, in Lower Mahanoy 
township. After the death of his father, in 1895, he came to Sunbury and 
lived with his brother, Charles B. Witmer, meantime attending the high 
school from which he was graduated in 1897. He then took a special 
course at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa., and in June, 1899, 
registered as a law student in his brother's office, studying law and 
teaching school, being thus engaged for two terms at the Gass 
schoolhouse in Upper Augusta township.  On June 16, 1902, he was 
admitted to the bar on May 22, 1905, to the Supreme court; and he has 
also been admitted to the United States Superior and Circuit courts. He 
is now in partnership with his brother as junior member of the firm of 
Witmer & Witmer and engaged in successful practice at Sunbury. Mr. 
Witmer is a member of the Northumberland Bar Association, of the B.P.O. 
Elks, Lodge No. 267, and of Friendship Hose Company. He is a member of 
the Reformed Church and has been active in some of its interests, having 
been chairman of the publicity committee of the Laymen's Missionary 
committee of the Eastern Classis held in 1910. Politically he is a 
Republican.
	In September, 1907, Mr. Witmer married Lula O. Yoder, daughter of 
Lewis and Elizabeth (Miller) Yoder, of Hegins, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and 
they have two daughters, Lillian M. and Annie E. The family home is at 
No. 1132 East Market street.

	Michael Witmer, son of Christophel (2), was born March 29, 1804, 
and died Jan. 28, 1842. He is buried at Stone Valley Church. He was a 
man of large build, weighing 240 pounds, and was strong and muscular, 
being, in fact the physical champion of his district. All his life he 
followed farming in Lower Mahanoy township. On April 6, 1824, he married 
Catharine Phillips, who was born April 9, 1805, daughter of, George 
Phillips, of Berks county, and died Sept. 30, 1889. Their children were 
born as follows: Anna Juliana, Feb. 23, 1825 (died young); Benneville, 
Sept. 28, 1826; Michael March 18, 1828; Anna Maria, Feb. 12, 1830; 
Elias, Oct. 14, 1831; Sarah, Aug. 25, 1833 (died young); Edward, Jan. 3, 
1836 (died young); Susanna and Catharine, twins, Feb. 3, 1838 (Catharine 
died young); Ephraim, April 21, 1839; Isaac, July 11, 1841 (lives in 
Perry county, Pa.).
	Ephraim Witmer, son of Michael, was born 
	
	END OF PAGE 524
	
April 21, 1839, on the Christophel Witmer home-stead in Lower Mahanoy 
township.  He was trained to farm work from his earliest boyhood, and 
engaged in farming on his own account at an early age. During the early 
sixties he moved to Hickory Corners, in Stone Valley, and there for 
thirty-two years engaged in farming for his father-in-law, David Hain, 
afterward farming the same place for himself four years.  During this 
period he was also largely engaged in dealing in horses for twenty-five 
years. He began by buying and selling horses in his home county, but 
later went West and bought by the carload, disposing of the animals at 
public sale in lower Northumberland county, where he was the first to 
hold a horse sale, being really the pioneer in that trade in his 
section. He handled as many as 225 head of horses in one year. Though 
now one of the oldest residents of his district he has a clear memory, 
and takes particular pleasure in recalling its early days. He is a man 
of small stature, but retains all the energy which characterized his 
active career. In his day he has been active in local religious affairs 
as well as in business, having long been a member of the Reformed 
congregation of Zion's Church, to which his children also belong. He has 
held the offices of deacon, elder and trustee, and is now serving as 
janitor.
	Mr.  Witmer married Harriet Hain, who was born May 31, 1841, 
daughter of David and Rebecca (Dreibelbies) Hain, the latter a daughter 
of Isaac Dreibelbies, who came from Berks county. Mrs. Witmer died April 
8, 1899, on the David Hain farm, and was buried at Stone Valley Church.  
Shortly thereafter Mr. Witmer and his daughters moved onto the Zion's 
Church property, where they have made their home since 1900. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Witmer was born a large family, viz.: David H. is mentioned below; 
Mary married Edwin Bademan, and they are farming people in Shamokin 
township; Jonathan H. is mentioned below; Fietta married William Welker 
and they live in the borough of Shamokin; Sallie married Daniel Harris, 
and they live in Mandata, this county; William S. died when two years 
old; one son died in infancy; Ida married Charles Wiest and they live in 
Sunbury; Cora married Rev. George Coppenhaver and they live at Mahanoy, 
where he has charge of the Reformed congregation; Charles died aged 
fifteen years; Wilhelmina Malinda, who is unmarried and keeps house for 
her father, has been chorister and organist of Zion's Lutheran and 
Reformed Church, at Stone Valley, since 1900, and is an estimable and 
intelligent woman, a most useful member of church and society; Lizzie 
was awarded a teacher's provisional certificate in 1901, and after she 
had taught three years was given (in 1908) a professional certificate, 
her school work covering five terms in the public schools, but she is 
now stenographer in the office of Dr. M. L. Emerick, of Hickory Corners, 
and works as an artist during the summer season; Harriet unmarried, 
lives at home; Francis died aged two years.

	DAVID H. WITMER, son of Ephraim, was born May 31, 1860, in Lower 
Mahanoy township. Like his father he was trained to farm work, and until 
he was of age he worked for his grandparents making his home with his 
maternal grandfather, David Rain, from the time he was three years old 
until Mr. Rain's death. After that he bought the property in Lower 
Mahanoy township, near Dalmatia, where he has since lived and worked. It 
was formerly the Charles Brosius homestead, and consists of forty-five 
acres; the original farm was much larger. Though a highly successful 
farmer, Mr. Witmer devoted much time in his earlier years to teaching. 
He received an excellent education, supplementing his public school 
training by study at Berrysburg Academy and a select school at 
Georgetown (Dalmatia), at which latter place he was under the 
instruction of Prof. Charles B. Witmer, now a prominent lawyer of 
Sunbury and the leader of the Republican party in Northumberland county.  
	In 1880 David H. Witmer received his license to teach from William 
Boal then county superintendent. His first experience was gained at the 
Mckee school in Lower Mahanoy township, where he taught in all three 
successive terms. Then for one term he did not teach, and again attended 
school, after which he was engaged as teacher for three more terms, all 
in Lower Mahanoy. He had ungraded schools. Mr. Witmer was much esteemed 
as an instructor, and met with uniform success in his school work. He 
has been a useful citizen of his community in other ways, having served 
his township as school director, auditor and treasurer, and he is a 
Democrat in political faith.  Socially he belongs to the Patrons of 
Husbandry, holding membership in Grange No. 1367, at Hickory Corners. 
Like the members of the Witmer family generally he is a Reformed member 
of the Zion's Stone Valley Church.

	JONATHAN H. WITMER, son of Ephraim, now a prosperous farmer of 
Lower Mahanoy township, was born in that township Dec. 18, 1863. He 
received his education in the local public schools and has always 
followed farm work, continuing to work for his parents until he was 
thirty years old, having remained at home for two years after his 
marriage. In the spring of 1893 he began farming near Dalmatia, 
remaining there one year as a tenant and was afterward on a nearby farm 
for two years. His next removal was to the David Hain farm near Hickory 
Corners, where he farmed six years, thence moving to the Daniel Schaffer 
farm, in the same township, where he lived for three years.  The year 
before he settled on his present place he and his family lived at 
Hickory 
	
	END OF PAGE 525
	
Corners, removing to the present home in the spring of 1906. Mr. Witmer 
purchased this place in 1909. It was the old George Harris homestead 
(Mr. Harris being a pioneer from Montgomery county), and contains 179 
acres located near Hickory Corners. After the death of George Harris it 
was owned by his son Martin Harris. The land is fertile, and near the 
house is a very fine spring.
	Mr. Witmer has been quite prominent in the local interests of the 
Democratic party and has served a number of years as judge of elections. 
He has held the office of assessor of his township. He and his family 
are prominent in the work of Zion's Stone Valley church as members of 
the Reformed congregation, which Mr. Witmer has served as deacon 
continuously since 1898; he has been a member of the church choir for 
the past twenty-five years.
	On Nov. 21, 1889, Mr. Witmer married Lizzie Ellen Koppenhaver, 
daughter of John and Hannah (Moyer) Coppenhaver, and granddaughter of 
Jonathan and Catharine (Hepner) Koppenhaver. Four children have been 
born to them:  Mark Nevin, who began teaching school when seventeen 
years old and is now a student at the West Chester State Normal; May 
Pauline; Maud Evangeline, and Leah Charlotte.

	Elias Witmer, son of Michael, was born Oct. 14, 1831, on the old 
homestead, and died July 15, 1909. A lifelong farmer, he obtained the 
original Witmer homestead after the death of his father, and built 
thereon, in 1893, the present barn, replacing one that had been 
destroyed by lightning. The farm consists of 136 acres. Mr. Witmer was a 
Republican in politics and a Reformed member of St. Luke's Lutheran and 
Reformed Church at Vera Cruz, which he served many years as trustee. His 
family also belonged to that church. He was a public-spirited citizen 
and gave nearly two acres of land near Vera Cruz for park purposes, this 
tract being now known as Vera Cruz Hill park; it was planted with maple 
and other trees by the Reformed Sunday school of the place.
	Mr. Witmer's first wife, Hannah Mertz, daughter of Jacob Mertz, 
died one year after their marriage, leaving one son, Harvey C. His 
second marriage was to Sarah Oxenreider, daughter of Jacob Oxenreider, 
and to them was born one daughter, Agnes, now the wife of William S. 
Engel.

	HARVEY C. WITMER, son of Elias, was born June 21, 1863, on the farm 
where he still lives. He has always followed farming, which he commenced 
on his own account after attaining his majority, being a tenant on the 
original homestead for seven years, at the end of which period he moved 
to an adjoining place, the one on which he has since made his home This 
place, which comprises fifty-six acres, formerly belonged to Harry 
Weaver, his father-in-law, and Mr. Witmer remodeled the dwelling, having 
a comfortable home and fine property.  He has prospered in his 
agricultural work, and owns the homestead of 136 acres in addition to 
his fifty-six-acre farm. He is local  agent  for  several  fertilizer  
companies. Though he, has given his work all the attention necessary to 
make it profitable, he has found time for active and intelligent 
interest in local public affairs, has been roadmaster for the past five 
years, and served seven years as school director. "Hap" Witmer, as he is 
generally called, is well known and respected in his section. He is a 
Republican in politics and in religion a member of the Reformed 
congregation at Vera Cruz of which he was deacon eight years.  He is a 
member of the Jr. O.U.A.M. at Dalmatia.
	On March 8, 1882, Mr. Witmer married Susan B. Weaver, daughter of 
Harry and Anna (Bonawitz) Weaver, of Lykens Valley, Pa., and eleven 
children have been born to their union: Annie, who is the wife, of John 
Lahr and has three children, Mary B.; Adda A. and Cloyd A. (they live 
near Dalmatia); William H., who married Grace Deppen; Nora; Stella; 
Cloyd, who died young; Harvey; Forest, who died when young; Warren; 
Mabel Alice; John, and Marlan.
	Benneville Witmer, son of Michael, was born Sept. 28, 1826, in 
Lower Mahanoy township. He was an enterprising business man, and 
prospered steadily in his undertakings, acquiring considerable property 
by his industrious and thrifty methods. For about seven years he was 
engaged as a huckster, after that entering the mercantile business at 
County Line, where he was located for a few years.  He then bought what 
was formerly the Josiah Snyder farm at Vera Cruz, a tract of 146 acres, 
now divided into two farms, on one of which he lived, and both of which 
are now owned by his son, Ephraim D. Witmer.  One part of this 146-acre 
farm was at one time the Jacob Witmer homestead.  The land is fertile 
and in a high state of cultivation, equipped with good buildings, and in 
every way desirable and valuable property. In addition Mr. Witmer owned 
an adjoining place of eighty-six acres, the John Deppen homestead. He 
was a leading member of the Reformed denomination in his district, and 
was instrumental in the establishment, in 1860, of St. Luke's Lutheran 
and Reformed Church at Vera Cruz, serving as a member of the building 
committee at the time the church was erected.  He was always one of the 
pillars of the congregation, liberal in his support of the church and 
its work, served as an officer many years, and with his family took an 
active part in furthering all its enterprises and religious work 
generally.  In politics he was a Republican, and he served his township 
as school director.
	Mr. Witmer married Lydia Deppen, daughter 
	
	END OF PAGE 526
	
of William Deppen.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Witmer are buried in the Vera Cruz 
Union Cemetery. They were the parents of a large family, namely: Emma J. 
married Joseph Hepner; Serenus, who was engaged as a public school 
teacher, died unmarried at the age of twenty-eight; Mary M. married 
Elias Kebach; Caroline died age seven years; Ephraim D. is mentioned 
below; Susan died when thirty-seven years old; William D. is mentioned 
below; James, also a school teacher, died when thirty years old, only 
five days after his marriage to Lizzie Bingaman, who survives him with 
their son, James M. (he had been active in politics, a member of the 
Republican committee of his township, and had been spoken of for high 
public office); Joseph W. is mentioned below; Jennie L. is unmarried; 
one daughter died in infancy.

	 EPHRAIM D. WITMER, son of Benneville, was born July 29, 1862, on 
the farm where he still resides, situated near Vera Cruz, in the extreme 
southwestern part of Lower Mahanoy township. He was reared to farming 
and has followed that calling all his life, purchasing the homestead 
from the estate after his father's death.  In addition he owns an 
adjoining farm, which was also the property of his father.  Mr. Witmer 
has made numerous improvements in his buildings and on his property, and 
has done well, meeting with success in his operations, which are 
conducted on intelligent lines.  He is a substantial and esteemed 
citizen of his township, which he has served in the office of school 
director. In politics he is a Republican.
	On Nov. 28, 1887, Mr. Witmer was married to Laura E. Koppenhaver, 
daughter of John and Hannah (Moyer) Koppenhaver and granddaughter of 
Jonas and Catharine (Hepner) Koppenhaver and of Daniel Moyer, the latter 
of Lykens Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Witmer have had two children, William C. 
(who died in infancy) and Clarence E. The family are Reformed members of 
St. Luke's church at Vera Cruz, and Mr. Witmer, who has a fine bass 
voice, was chorister of that church for twenty years, being still a 
member of the choir. His son is also musically inclined.
	Clarence E. Witmer, son of Ephraim D., was born May 30, 1889, and 
has been well educated, having begun his education in the local public 
schools and later attended Union Seminary, at New Berlin, and Franklin 
and Marshall College, at Lancaster.  He is now assisting his father with 
the farm work. He married Stella T. Martz, and they have one daughter, 
Ethel M.

	WILLIAM D. WITMER, son of Benneville, born Feb. 25. 1867, in Lower 
Mahanoy township, received his education there in the common schools. He 
worked for his father until he was twenty three years old on the farm 
and in the sawmill, and then marrying settled in Dalmatia (Georgetown), 
where with the exception of a few months, during which he was with his 
family at Sunbury he has since had his home.  Upon coming to this 
locality he began work for his father-in-law, Isaac Fenstermacher, upon 
the farm, continuing thus for twelve years.  At the end of that time he 
began the manufacture and bottling of soft drinks, for which he found a 
ready sale throughout the eastern end of Northumberland county. Mr. 
Witmer his prospered to such an extent. that he now owns his own home 
and place of business, his establishment being equipped with all modern 
machinery for the facilitation of the work, which has grown to 
considerable proportions.. He ships his goods to various towns. Mr. 
Witmer has been much interested in the local public welfare, 
particularly the matter of public education, and was serving as school 
director at the time of the erection of the modern two story, four-room 
building, in 1894. He has been quite active in the local affairs of the 
Republican party, and has served as delegate to the county convention. 
While living at his early home Mr. Witmer served as organist for the 
Reformed congregation of the Vera Cruz Church, and for some years he was 
a member of the choir of the Reformed congregation at Dalmatia, of which 
he is a member; his wife is a member of the Lutheran congregation of the 
same church.
	In January, 1891, Mr. Witmer married Lizzie A. Fenstermacher, 
daughter of Isaac and Lena (Reitz) Fenstermacher, and four daughters 
have been born to them: Lena A., Oct. 10, 1891; Anna M., June 19, 1896; 
Mary H., July 31, 1901, and Elsie M., Jan. 17, 1904.

	JOSEPH WITMER, son of Benneville, was born Jan. 1, 1871, on his 
father's homestead, and was there reared to farm life. After leaving the 
farm he engaged in the mercantile business at Vera Cruz as successor to 
W. S. Schwartz & Co., entering this line in February, 1897, on his own 
account. He has since continued the business successfully, and is one of 
the best known merchants in Lower Mahanoy township, carrying a full line 
of general merchandise and also dealing in country produce and poultry. 
Mr. Witmer has been active in politics as a stanch member of the 
Republican party, and has considerable influence in his locality; he has 
been delegate to county convention. He and his family are Reformed 
members of tile Union Church at Vera Cruz.
	On May 17, l896, Mr. Witmer married Jennie M. Snyder, daughter of 
Alexander and Elizabeth (Holshue) Snyder, of Vera Crux, late of Jackson 
township, and they have had two children, K. Stanley and Frederick 
Edison, the latter of whom died in infancy.
	Samuel Witmer was born Nov. 6,  1811, and died May 2, 1875, aged 
sixty-three years, five months, twenty-six days.  He is buried at Zion's 
	
	END OF PAGE 527
	
Stone Valley Church. Mr. Witmer was a farmer throughout his active 
years, living upon and owning the farm now occupied by his son Henry S. 
He served as tax collector of his district. Mr. Witmer married Sarah 
Spots, born Jan. 11, 1811, died Sept. 12, 1869, and they had a family of 
four children: John, who died at the age of sixty-eight; Emanuel, 
deceased, who was a farmer in Lower Mahanoy township; Cornelius who died 
in Missouri, where he is buried; and Henry S.

	HENRY S. WITMER, son of Samuel, now a retired farmer, was born May 
2, 1844, on the farm in Lower Mahanoy township, two miles south of 
Dalmatia, where he is still living.  He has been a lifelong farmer, and 
made a number of improvements upon the property during his active 
career, building the north end of the barn, which was erected by his 
father, and putting up the present dwelling on the place during the 
eighties. The farm contains 109 acres of excellent land well watered, 
there being an excellent, never failing, spring near the house. Mr. 
Witmer has served as township school director.  He is a Republican in 
political matters and in religion a member of the Reformed denomination, 
belonging to the Reformed congregation at Zion's Stone Valley Church, 
his wife uniting with the Lutheran congregation at that church.
	In 1869 Mr. Witmer married Phoebe Zartman, daughter of Adam 
Zartman, and to their union have been born seven children, three of whom 
died young. The survivors are: Frank G. married Martha Mertz; Addie 
married George Emerick,  Emma married John M. Engel; Katie is unmarried.

	WEIDENHAMER. The progenitor of this family in America was Johannes 
Weidenhamer. a native of Germany, born Nov. 14, 1726. In 1750 he married 
Margaret Magdalena Eblinger, and they were survived by five sons and 
four daughters, twenty seven grand-children and forty eight great-
grandchildren.  Johannes  Weidenhamer died Aug. 3, 1804, in his seventy 
eighth year. His wife, who was born in 1729, died in April, 1812, when 
eighty-three years old. The original Weidenhamer homestead in this 
county was about three-quarters of a mile north of Moselem Springs, 
Berks county, Pa., on the Easton road.
	John (or Johann) Adam Weidenhamer, one of the sons of Johannes, the 
emigrant, came with the family from Germany. He married Elizabeth 
Danker, and they lived in Maiden creek township, Berks county, where he 
followed farming. To them were born children as follows: Jacob; 
Benjamin, who moved to Ohio, where he died; George, who died in Maiden 
Creek township, Berks county; John; Susanna, Mrs. Daniel Kauffman, whose 
children were Mrs. Charles Hottenstein, Mrs. Peter Dunkle, Mrs. Jacob 
Hoffman: Maria, Mrs. Daniel Althouse; Sarah, who died unmarried, and 
Betsy, Mrs. Williams.

	Jacob Weidenhamer, grandfather of Edward Weidenhamer, and son of 
John Adam, was born in 1797 in Berks county. He married Susanna 
Dreibelbis, born Oct. 1, 1805, who died Dec. 2, 1887.  She was a native 
of Berks county and a daughter of Daniel Dreibelbis, of Richmond 
township, that county.  In 1837 Mr. and Mrs. Weidenhamer moved to 
Montour county, this State, and settled in Limestone township, where Mr. 
Weidenhamer bought a valuable farm of about two hundred acres.  Here he 
followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1863, in his sixty-
seventh year.  To him and his wife were born children as follows:  
Wellington D., who lived and died at Limestone; Sarah, who lived and 
died at Limestone; William; Daniel, now living in Milton; John A., who 
died in Watsontown; and Elizabeth E., who first married John Sheep and 
later Emanuel Mauser, and had two children, Edward Sheep and May Mauser.

	William  Weidenhamer,  father  of  Edward Weidenhamer, was born 
Jan. 29, 1831, in Berks county, and died July 7, 1910, near Milton, 
Northumberland county.  He married Margaret Kutz, born Feb. 8, 1836, 
died Aug. 16, 1887.  She was the daughter of George Kutz, born June 8, 
1798,  died Dec. 25, 1863, and his wife, Anna (Kilpattrick), born Jan. 
9, 1803, died July 19, 1876.  William Weidenhamer and his wife bought 
the farm, one mile east of Milton, on which they lived for over forty 
years. They were industrious, respected and influential citizens in that 
community.  Mr. Weidenhamer was one of the original directors of the 
Pleasant Valley Creamery and Milton Fair Association and filled many 
other responsible positions. Eight children was born to. his marriage, 
as follows:  Clarence A. married Lou Platt, and has four children, May, 
Florence, Frank and Clarence; Harry married Jane Seers, and has five 
children, Gertrude, Lloyd, Sidney, Margaret and Alice; Thomas S. lived 
and died at Milton, passing away in his forty-ninth year; William 
married Sarah Biddle and lives in Altoona; Edward is mentioned later; 
Ada G. married Lloyd Cooper and lives in Altoona; Ellis C. married Clara 
Burton and has two children, Norma and Burton; George S. married Ella 
Smith and has four children, William, Viola, Edward and George, Jr.

	EDWARD WEIDENHAMER, son  of  William, was born Jan. 31, 1866,  in 
Turbut township, Northumberland county, near the borough of Milton, Pa.  
His early education was neglected because it was necessary for him to 
work on his father's farm. Before he was twelve years old he drove team 
regularly and made a full hand hauling building stone from the farm to 
Milton. At the age of eighteen his father allowed him to leave 
	
	END OF PAGE 528
	
home and earn his own living. He then worked mornings, evenings and 
Saturdays for his board. and walked four miles each day to attend 
school. He was a faithful student and his progress in his studies was 
rapid.  During the winter of 1887 and 1888 he taught school six months 
in Turbut township at the maximum salary, thirty dollars a month.  In 
April, 1888, he entered the junior  class of the Central State normal 
school at Lock Haven, Pa., using the money he had saved to advance his 
education, and in June passed the examination admitting him to the 
senior class of that school. That fall he again taught school in Turbut 
township, at an increase in salary.  In 1889 he entered the senior class 
of the Central State normal school and graduated in June, 1890, at the 
head of his class.  He was immediately elected principal of the Fourth 
Ward schools of lock Haven, Pa., and held this position until the fall 
of 1892, when he entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. During the 
summer of 1893 he began to work for Gina & Company, school book, 
publishers, and by working for them during each vacation he earned 
enough money to pay his expenses the following year at college.  In 
June, 1896, when he graduated, President George F. Reed of Dickinson 
College said:  "Mr. Weidenhamer has, in my judgment, every qualification 
for any position to which he may aspire, and will be sure to give 
satisfaction.  I know of no man whom I could more heartily recommend."
	Since graduating Mr. Weidenhamer has given all his attention to the 
book business, in which he has been very successful, being at present 
general agent for Ginn & Company, with fifty-three counties in 
Pennsylvania under his charge. He is himself the author of a well known 
textbook, "Weidenhamer's Mental Arithmetic," nearly 500,000 copies of 
which have already been sold throughout the United States.  Mr. 
Weidenhamer has been a useful citizen in Milton, where he has served as 
president of council and in many other prominent positions.  He is a 
member of Milton Lodge,  No. 256, F. & A.M., and of Williamsport 
Consistory, thirty-second degree.
	In February, 1901, Mr. Weidenhamer married Alice M. Hanna, daughter 
of W. B. Hanna, of Lock Haven, Pa. They have one daughter, Helen, born 
in August 1902.

	JOHN GOSS has lived on his present farm in Ralpho township since he 
bought the property, in 1890, and he has made a number of valuable 
improvements there during that time.  He is a son of James Goss and 
grandson of William Goss.
	Jame's Goss was a shoemaker and followed that trade in Shamokin, 
this county, later removing to what is now Ralpho township, where he 
died Dec. 30, 1854, aged forty-seven years, seven  months.  He is buried 
at the Blue church.  His wife, Mary M. (Dunkelberger) daughter of Henry 
Dunkelberger, survived him,  and died near Paxinos, in Ralpho township.  
She remarried, becoming the wife of James Van Horn. Five children were 
born to her union with James Goss: Benneville, Elizabeth, William, John 
and Reuben. By her marriage to Mr. Van Horn she had three children: 
Franklin P., Monroe D. and Mary.
	John Goss was born Aug. 27, 1848, in Shamokin, and he received his 
education in the public schools near his boyhood home. When a young man 
he learned blacksmithing, but he followed the trade only a short time, 
engaging in farming. In 1890, he bought the property he now owns in 
Ralpho township.  In 1896 he built the present dwelling on that place, 
where he has also erected other buildings, having brought the farm into 
excellent condition, both as to land and improvements.  Though a busy 
man he has found time to serve the township as school director, and he 
has also been an active member of the Blue Church, in which he has been 
elder.  Politically, he is a Democrat.
	Mr. Goss married Mary M. Bear, daughter of William and Susanna 
(Rothermel) Bear, and they have three children: Ada L. married Thomas W. 
Smith and has a son, Frank L.; Catharine B. is the wife of Frank Erdman, 
at present serving as county commissioner of Northumberland county; and 
Anna C. is the wife of Aumond J. Startzel.

	LATSHA.  The Latsha or Latshaw family, which has many 
representatives among the best citizenship of Northumberland county, is 
descended from one Frantz (John Francis) Latshar, a native of 
Switzerland, who came to America on the "Mortonhouse," which qualified 
at Philadelphia Aug. 24, 1728.  On the list of passengers his name is 
spelled "Frans Latshow."  His first settlement in Pennsylvania was near 
a place called Upland, in Chester county, where he remained a few years, 
and then went to Oley, Berks county, later settling in the Tulpehocken 
Valley in the latter county, where he died. He made a permanent home in 
Colebrookdale township.  His last will and testament made in 1781, was 
probated Oct. 29, 1795.  He was twice married, the first time in 
Switzerland, and tradition says his first wife died leaving him a number 
of small children and no one to help in the house. Accordingly he went 
to Philadelphia (as the pioneers were obliged to do in those days for 
merchandise or help) for a woman to look after his home and children. He 
was told of a young woman of good repute from the Tulpehocken Valley, in 
Berks county, whose husband, a Mr. Gabel, had died on the voyage to 
America, leaving his wife with two small children. At Philadelphia she 
began a struggling life with her children, finding a place as servant in 
a Germantown family.  Mr. Latshar became 
	
	END OF PAGE 529
	
acquainted with her, persuaded her to accompany him home as house 
keeper, and later they were married.  Her son Henry Gabel, was taken 
along with them, and early in life was taken into the Rutter household, 
the Rutters being the early iron-masters of Colebrookdale, and he fell 
heir to some of the Rutter money, also being remembered in his 
stepfather's will. He was a Mennonite, and is buried at Boyertown; his 
birth occurred in 1734. Frantz Latshar and his second wife had children 
also. Her maiden name was Sowers, and she was from the Tulpehocken 
Valley, in Berks county.  He left a large estate, which he divided 
equally among his children, those mentioned in his will, as recorded in 
Book B, page 398, being John, Frantz,  Abraham, Jacob, Mary Lantes 
(Landis), Henry Gabel (step-son), Rebecca Shelly (deceased, the mother 
of six children), and Catharine Lantz (stepdaughter), of whom Abraham 
lived on the Hereford township (Berks county) farm and Frantz elsewhere 
in the same township. We have the following account of the sons.
	John Latsha lived in Colebrookdale township,. where he died in 
1794. He made his will in 1787 (Will Book B, page 360), dividing his 
estate among his brothers and sisters.  He made his home with his 
brother Jacob, and if he was married he had no children.
	Frantz Latshar (Latchar) made his will April 1, 1802, and it was 
probated July 1st of the same year.  His wife Esther survived him and 
was given 400 pounds in gold. They had three sons, Frantz and Jacob 
receiving all the land in Hereford township, and John the homestead.
	Abraham Latshar, half brother of John (mentioned just below), 
served several years in the Revolutionary war, holding the rank of 
major.  Jacob Latsha, full brother of Abraham, was a lieutenant in the 
Revolution, in which he served a number of years.  Abraham Latshar lived 
in the section of Colebrookdale township now included in Washington 
township. He died in 1814. His will, in English script, but German 
words, is on record in Volume 4, page 114. His children were: Samuel, 
Johannes, Jacob, Anna, Elizabeth, Catharine, Heinrich (who lived for a 
time in Clayton and then left for parts unknown), Alexander and Abraham.
	The founder of the branch of the family in Northumberland county 
with which this article is concerned, John or Johannes Latsha (Latshaw), 
was undoubtedly connected with the Latshas referred to above, having 
been born in 1756 in Washington township, Berks county.  According to 
the family he was a son of the emigrant, but that does not agree with 
the more complete account, and as John the son of Frantz received his 
father's homestead it seems more likely Johannes was the son of Abraham. 
It is said that among his father's children were also Henry, who settled 
in Mahanoy township  Northumberland county before the Revolutionary war, 
and Abraham, who settled in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland 
county (evidently the Abraham referred to above).
	 John Latsha, born in 1756, died in 1810, and is buried with two of 
his sons, Joseph and Gideon, in a private cemetery on the farm where he 
lived and died.  If not the first settler in what is now Mahanoy 
township, Northumberland county, he was among the very first, as he had 
three acres of his land cleared for farming before the Revolutionary 
War.  He took up a tract of 304 acres from the Commonwealth, erected the 
first set of buildings on the land (these in later years giving way to 
more modern structures), and followed farming there, his home being near 
Mahanoy Church, where he died.  He served in the Revolutionary War, 
according to one account under Captain Farmer, and after his discharge 
had two thousand dollars coming to him.  The Pennsylvania Archives, 5th 
Series, Volume II, page 417, record one John "Latcha" a private in Capt. 
Lewis Farmer's Company, Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, 1776; Samuel Miles, 
colonel.
	John Latsha's wife, Catharina  (Daniel), was born in Tulpehocken 
township, Berks county, Jan. 28, 1763, and died Oct. 31, 1852, in her 
ninetieth year. (N. B.: These dates are given for Susanna, nee Daniel, 
wife of Johannes); she is buried in the graveyard at Mahanoy Church.  
Seven children were born to this pioneer couple: John, Johann Henry, 
Frederick, Daniel, Catharine, Magdalena and Elizabeth.  Of these, John 
was a farmer and lived in Washington township.  His wife, Maria 
Catharine Shutt, bore him children as follows: John, Wendel (born March 
4, 1881, died March 4, 1876: wife Susanna Gonser, born March 28, 1815, 
died Dec. 17, 1892), Isaac, George, Daniel, Bevvy, and Ketty.

	Johan Freiderich Latsha, son of John and Catharina (Daniel), was 
born Aug. 27, 1788, was a farmer, and lived and died on the farm in 
Washington township now owned by William M. Latsha; this was the old 
homestead, and at the time of his ownership it comprised 133 acres.  His 
home was a log cabin. He died July 8, 1875, when over eighty-six years 
old, and his wife, Magdalena (Wagner), born March 18, 1797, died April 
27, 1871, when seventy-four years old.  They had children as follows: 
Betzy, born in 1817, died in 1848, unmarried; John died unmarried; Polly 
married Daniel Kiehl; Magdalena married Daniel Kiehl, Mary Ann died 
unmarried; Isaac married Harriet DeTurk and (second) Susan Schoffstall; 
Catharine died unmarried; Frederick W. is mentioned below; Adam W. 
married Wilhelmina Fegley.  All this family lived in the region about 
Mahanoy Church.
	FREDERICK W. LATSHA was born Jan. 7, 1837, on the Latsha homestead, 
and received such lim-
	
	END OF PAGE 530
	
ited advantages as the subscription schools of his childhood days 
afforded. He was reared to farming which life he followed all his life, 
beginning on his own  account after his marriage, and in 1877 he came to 
the place in Washington township where he resided at the time of his 
death, owning a  highly cultivated tract of sixty-seven acres.  His 
death occurred May 18, 1910.  Mr. Latsha, with his family, was a most 
active member of the Reformed congregation of St. Peter's Church, which  
he served officially as deacon, elder and trustee and he and his family 
donated a memorial window to that church.  The Latshas have erected 
handsome monuments on their family burial plot.  Mr. Latsha was a 
Democrat in political connection.  He was a highly esteemed member of 
the community, where his widow is no less respected as a woman of 
sterling qualities.  In 1862 Mr. Latsha married Mary Reitz, daughter of 
Simon and Catharine (Reed) Reitz, and they had a family of six sons:  
Levi R., a farmer of Washington township; Edward R., a blacksmith, of 
Uniontown (he has a daughter, Mabel Ellen); John Charles, (who operates 
a threshing machine; Henry Reuben, a farmer, who assisted his father 
until the latters recent death; George H., a merchant; and Dan Lewis, a 
blacksmith, at Mahanoy.

	LEVI, R. LATSHA, son of the late Frederick W. Latsha, was born 
July 10, 1862, and has always followed farming.  He owns a valuable 
tract of ninety-two acres in Washington township, an old Hoffman farm, 
and has proved himself intelligent and thrifty in his cultivation and 
management of the place.  He married Mary Ann Ferster, who was born 
March 25, 1866, and died May 29, 1905, the mother of two children: 
Willard Wesley, born Sept. 17, 1901; and Mary Edna Dianna, who died aged 
ten months, eleven days.

	GEORGE H. LATSHA,  senior member of the firm of George H. Latsha & 
Brother, was born in Washington township Jan. 22, 1881, son of the late 
Frederick W. Latsha.  He was educated in local  public schools, which he 
continued to attend until he was sixteen years old, and was trained to 
farm work from boyhood, being only fourteen when he commenced to run a 
huckster wagon. For fourteen years he continued thus and also took his 
produce to market, gaining considerable valuable experience. On Dec. 5, 
1908, he and brother Daniel L. Latsha formed a partnership under the 
firm name of George H. Latsha & Brother, renting the old established 
store and hotel stand at Rebuck which they now conduct, one of the 
oldest places in the district.  The brothers have been very successful. 
George H. Latsha, active member of the firm, has proved his business 
ability in the management of the store and hotel, and has made an 
assured place for himself among the substantial young men of the 
township.  He is a Democrat, and his fellow citizens have shown their 
confidence in him by electing him treasurer of Washington township, 
which office he is filling  at present.  His religious connection is 
with the Reformed congregation of the Himmel Church. 
	In 1900 Mr. Latsha married Bruella Sachoffstall, who died Jan. 1, 
1907, aged twenty-three years, ten months, sixteen days, and they had 
three children, Irene, David and Fred.  On May 30, 1909, be married  
(second)  Fietta Schreffler, daughter of Nathan Schreffler.
	DANIEL LEWIS LATSHA, youngest son of Frederick W. Latsha, was born 
July 12, 1883, in Washington township, where he was reared and educated.  
When eighteen years old he learned his trade from his brother Edward, a 
blacksmith, and in 1904 engaged in business for himself at Mahanoy, in 
Jackson township, where he has ever since been located.  He has built up 
a large trade in general blacksmithing and wheelwrighting, employing a 
wheelwright for that branch of the work. He has a half interest with his 
brother George H. Latsha in the firm of George H. Latsha & Brother,  
owners of the store and hotel stand at Rebuck, in Washington township, 
conducted by George H. Latsha, and though they have not been proprietors 
long the business is thriving satisfactorily.  On Nov. 2, 1907, Mr. 
Latsha married Amelia A. Tressler, daughter of Adam Tressler, of Jackson 
township, and they occupy their own home at Mahanoy.  Mr. Latsha is a 
Reformed member of  St. Peter's Church at Mahanoy, his wife belonging to 
the Lutheran congregation of that church. Politically he is a Democrat, 
but though interested in the welfare of the party has not been 
particularly active. 
	John Henry Latsha, second son of John and Catharina (Daniel) 
Latsha, was born May 15, 1785, and died June 30, 1859. He was a 
carpenter, and followed that trade as well as farming, living at the 
place in Mahanoy township occupied by the late Frederick W. Latsha, in 
which section he was well and favorably known. His wife, Mary  Ann 
(Eirich), born Dec. 16, 1821, died Sept. 9, 1888, aged eighty-six years, 
eight months, twenty-three days. They had children as follows: Adam, 
Henry, Abraham, Eva, Mary Ann and Kate (wife of Henry Wear), all 
residents of the borough of Shamokin.
	Mrs. Mary Ann (Eirich) Latsha's grandfather fought under Washington 
in the Revolution, and with several other soldiers was killed while 
crossing the Delaware river. He married Mary A. Wilson, who after his 
death became the wife of Abraham Musser.  Jacob Eirich, son of this 
Revolutionary soldier, lived in York county, Pa., for a time, thence 
moving to Philadelphia, later to Schuylkill county, and eventually to 
Northumberland county, settling near Shamokin.  By trade he was a 
weaver, later finding employment in the 
	
	END OF PAGE 531
	
mines.  He served in the war of 1812. Jacob Eirich died in an old log 
house near Shamokin in 1861, when ninety-two years old.  He married 
Elizabeth Haag, whose father was drowned at Columbia, Pa., while 
crossing the Susquehanna river.  Their children were:  John; Mary Ann, 
Mrs. Latsha; Margaret, Mrs. Enoch Cole; Elizabeth, Mrs. Isaac Latsha; 
Susan, Mrs. Martin; Jacob, who served in Company K (Captain Strauss), 
48th Regiment, during the Civil war; Henry, who served in the same 
company and regiment and was killed in the mines in 1863 shortly after 
his return from the service; and Hester, who married Ignatius Ditman, a 
coal operator.

	ADAM LATSHA, son of John Henry Latsha, was born in December, 1844, 
in Jackson township, Northumberland Co., Pa., and makes his home with 
his brother Abraham at Shamokin. He has been engaged about the mines for 
many years. For fifteen years he followed mining, and since 1882 has 
been a carpenter in the employ of the Shipman Coal Company. He is a 
highly respected citizen, and one of the well known residents of the 
borough. Mr. Latsha was made a Mason in 1882 in Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, 
F. & A.M., in which he still holds membership.

	ABRAHAM LATSHA, son of John Henry Latsha, was born in Washington 
township May 27, 1854, and has long made his home at Shamokin. When a 
youth he commenced picking slate at the breaker, and later followed 
mining for many years. In 1905 he engaged in business for himself, 
making candies, in which line he has built up a remarkably good trade, 
his goods, all homemade and pure, finding popular sale in the borough.  
His store is at No. 943 West Arch street. Mr. Latsha has proved himself 
an admirable manager and a man of good executive ability, and the 
extensive trade he now enjoys has come as the result of honorable 
methods, honest dealing and a sincere effort to please his patrons, who 
are numerous.  He is deeply interested in the family history and the 
early history of Mahanoy and surrounding townships upon which he has 
informed himself thoroughly.
	WILLIAM M. LATSHA, a farmer of Washington township, was born April 
30, 1878, son of Adam W. and Wilhelmina (Fegley) Latsha and grandson of 
Johan Friederich and Magdalena (Wagner) Latsha. He was educated in the 
township schools and brought up to farming, working for his parents 
until 1905, in which year he purchased the old homestead, which had been 
in the Latsha name for three generations previously, having been owned 
by his great-grandfather, Johann., by his grandfather and by his father. 
His great-grandfather originally took up over three hundred acres, but 
the 133-acre tract owned by William M. Latsha was the homestead place. 
Part of the balance is now owned by Isaac Latshaw, and part of what is 
now the John Schreffler farm was also included in the ancestor's 
possessions. The late Frederick Latsha owned several fields which were 
also included in the land taken up by Johannes. Johan Friederich Latsha, 
grandfather of William M., built the house, barn and cider house now 
standing on the latter's farm; the weaver's shop, where all kinds of 
weaving could be done, and which has four rooms, was built by the 
pioneer Latsha. William M. Latsha owns his grandfather's clock. He is a 
modern farmer, progressive, using the most approved implements and 
methods, attends the Shamokin markets weekly, and is a substantial 
citizen. Like his forefathers he is a Democrat in politics, and belongs 
to the Reformed Church.
	On Aug. 16, 1903, Mr. Latsha married Laura M. Kehres, daughter of 
Henry and Mary Ann (Drumheller) Kehres, and they have had three 
children:  Goldie M.; Guy L., who died in infancy; and Raymond A.

	JOHN F. LATSHA, farmer of Washington township, was born June 24, 
1875, on the homestead farm in that township; attended the local schools 
and passed his boyhood in the usual manner of farmers' sons, remaining 
at home until he attained the age of twenty-four. Since the spring of 
1901 he has been farming at his present place, owning what was formerly 
the Michael Smith farm, of ninety-five acres, advantageously located on 
the road between Mahanoy and Rebuck.  The barn was built in 1883, the 
buildings are all substantial and the land is in good condition. Mr. 
Latsha is local agent for a fertilizer company. Politically he is a 
Democrat, and he has served as inspector of his district.
	In 1900 Mr. Latsha married Agnes Smith, daughter of Samuel and 
Seville (Hetrich) Smith, and they have had five children: Beulah 
(deceased in infancy), Samuel, Frederick, Gertie, and Anna (who died in 
infancy). Mr. Latsha and his family are members of the Reformed Church, 
which he served four years as deacon.

	MOSES H. TROUTMAN, general merchant of Shamokin, was born July 1, 
1869, in Jordan township, Northumberland county, and has been a resident 
of Shamokin since he left the farm upon attaining his majority.  He has 
a well established business at No. 22 South Second street where he has 
been located since 1901.
	Jacob Troutman, his great-grandfather, was born in the Tulpehocken 
Valley in Berks county, and we give some general early history of the 
Troutmans of that section. The Troutman family of western Berks county 
had settled prior to the organization of the county, in 1752, in 
Tulpehocken township, where Hieronimus Troutman on Oct. 13, 1752, 
obtained two warrants, each for twenty-five 
	
	END OF PAGE 532
	
acres of land located in that part of Lancaster county now embraced in 
Lebanon county.  On March 23, 1802, he and Abraham Troutman (a relative) 
jointly obtained a warrant for 152.80 acres of land in Northumberland 
county.  The records show that at this time he was a taxable in 
Tulpehocken township, Berks county, the Pennsylvania Archives recording 
the following in 1768 "'Peter Troutman, eighty acres of land in 
Tulpehocken; Philip Troutman, 100 acres; Valentine Troutman, six acres; 
and Michael Troutman, 217 acres." Previously, in 1759, one John Troutman 
paid eleven pounds tax in Tulpehocken township.  In 1779 the tax lists 
show:  "Valentine, singleman; John, singleman and tailor, and Peter 
weaver."  In 1779 Michael Troutman owned 275 acres of land, six horses, 
six cattle, and paid seven pounds, thirteen shillings tax, showing that 
he was a large property owner. It is traditional, and records confirm it 
that Hieronimus Troutman had these sons: Michael, born Nov. 8, 1746, 
died Nov 1, 1804; Valentine, born June 17, 1752, died April 19, 1823; 
Johannes, born Feb. 4, 1755, died Feb. 2, 1823; Johann Philip, born Aug. 
9, 1758, died Feb. 23, 1830.
	Michael Troutman, the eldest of this family, made his will Aug. 3, 
1804, and died about three months later.  In the will he mentions his 
wife Susanna, who was to receive the property in Tulpehocken township on 
which they lived, besides other items.  Ample provision was made for 
her. They had no issue.  After leaving a bequest to Host Church of 
twenty pounds, to care for his grave, Michael Troutman divided the rest 
of his estate among his brothers, whom he mentioned thus: Valentine, 
John who had a son Michael, and Philip.
	Valentine Troutman served during the Revolution in September 1776, 
in Capt. Michael Furrers company; and was sent to Long Island. He 
married, and among his children was a daughter, Eva Elizabeth, who was 
born in 1785 and died unmarried in 1804.
	Philip Troutman married Magdalena, a born Troutman, possibly a 
descendant of Abraham, who was a relative of Hieronimus. She was born 
Feb. 16, 1753, and died Dec. 29, 1834, aged eighty-one.
	All of the above Troutmans are buried at Host church, in the old 
graveyard adjoining it on the southwest.  Many of the gravestones are 
brown sandstones, and the inscriptions on them were deciphered with some 
difficulty by William J. Dietrich, of Reading, and Squire Frank W. 
Troutman, of Stouchsburg. Berks county. Immediately back of the church 
is an old sandstone on which appears the following inscription: 
	"Eva Elizabeth Troutman Sei ist gaboren den 6 Januar, im yahr 1716, 
und starb am 1 Januar in yahr 1794. Bracht ehr alter zu 78 yahr, 4 monat 
und 3 tag." This possibly was the wife of the ancestor Hieronimus 
Troutman, and the mother of the sons before mentioned.
	Johannes Troutman, son of the ancestor, was born in 1755 and died 
in 1823. He was married (first) May 13, 1787, to Maria Elizabeth 
Hoffman, and (second) to Sybilla Himmelberger, who was born Jan. 7, 
1774, and died Nov. 29, 1858. Among his children were: Michael, born 
Aug. 2, 1788, died July 19, 1840; John Jacob, born May 18, 1791, died 
March 6, 1862; Elizabeth, born in 1796, died in 1866.
	Jacob Troutman, who was born in the Tulpehocken, Valley in Berks 
county, had children, Moses, John, Peter and Cornelius.  (From the St. 
David's Church records and Bohner's Union cemetery, in Lower Mahanoy, we 
find that a Jacob Troutman, born Jan. 13, 1792, died Aug. 15, 1854; his 
wife Magdalene, born May 21, 1794, died Sept. 28, 1877. This is on a 
large marble monument in Bohner's cemetery, and from the same source we 
find that Cornelius, son of Jacob and Magdalena, born March 12, 1828, 
died June 4, 1887; his wife Esther, born Sept. 14, 1830, died Feb. 21, 
1877. These records may pertain to Jacob and his children. The ones we 
have just given seem to be without doubt their records of birth and 
death.  The following may pertain to the sons John and Peter. John, born 
June 41, 1817, died March 22, 1901; wife Sarah, born Oct. 19, 1817, died 
April 4, 1841.  Peter, born Jan. 12, 1831, died Dec. 31, 1891.)
	Moses Troutman, son of Jacob, followed farming in the Mahanoy 
Valley, living in Jordan township, Northumberland county, and he and his 
wife Elizabeth (Bohner) are buried at the Union church near Pillow.  
Their children were:  Solomon; Gilbert, living at Millersburg; and 
Jacob, also a resident of Millersburg.
	Solomon Troutman, son of Moses, was born Dec. 25, 1846, and died in 
1891 in Schuylkill county, being buried at Leib, that county.  While a 
resident of Jordan township he followed farming and was a well known and 
respected citizen of his community, moving thence to Schuylkill county, 
where he continued to farm the rest of his days. He married Sarah 
Lesher, who died in 1893, and both were members of the Evangelical 
Church.  They were the parents of the following children: Ellen, wife of 
William Masser; Moses H.; Jane, who married Louis Herring and (second) 
John Peard; William; Amanda, wife of Cyrus Knerr; Jacob; Emma, who died 
aged twenty-two years; Clayton, of Shamokin; Agnes, wife of John Beyler; 
and Harry, who lives at Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania.
	Moses H. Troutman attended the schools in the neighborhood of his 
early home and worked upon the farm until he reached the age of twenty-
one, since which time he has made his home in Shamokin. His first 
position in the borough was with 
	
	END OF PAGE 533
	
Burd & Rogers, for whom he clerked eleven years, remaining with this 
well known firm until he commenced business on his own account, in 1901. 
He has a fine store at No. 22 South Second street, stocked with a good 
line of general merchandise, and has done a steadily growing business, 
ranking with the prosperous men in his line in the borough. He is a 
member of the Business Men's Association, and in that connection and 
other ways has shown his public spirit and loyalty to the general 
interest and welfare. Outside of business his particular interest is in 
the Evangelical Church, of which he is an earnest member; he is at 
present serving as member of the board of trustees, and he was long 
active in the Sunday school, being a teacher for twelve years.  
Fraternally he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias.
	On Dec. 11, 1892, Mr. Troutman married Nora Masser, daughter of 
Jacob and Catharine (Wagner) Masser, of Mahantango Valley, and they have 
eight children, namely: Catharine, Roy, Russel, Merrile, Beulah, 
Leonard, Elizabeth and Leon Edward.  The older children are assisting 
their father in the store.

	MALICK. The Malick family, which was one of the earliest families 
in Northumberland county, having been settled in this region since 
before or about the period of the Revolution, is of German extraction.  
The early spelling of the name was Melick, or Mehlig, but it is now 
found in various forms, Malick, Malich, Mellick, etc. One Jacob Malick, 
with whose descendants we are concerned in this article, and five 
brothers came to this country from Germany, four of the brothers, among 
whom  was  Jacob,  settling  along  the  Susquehanna river in what is 
now Lower Augusta  township,  Northumberland county,  in the region of 
Sunbury.  They were among the pioneers in that section,  where their 
descendants are now very numerous, several branches of the family being 
well represented. There is record of three brothers, Peter, Henry and 
another who died soon after his marriage, leaving a widow and one 
daughter.  This does not quite agree, however, with the Federal Census 
Report of 1790, which records Peter, Henry and a Widow Melich as heads 
of families in Northumberland county. Peter Melich had one son and six 
daughters; Henry had one daughter; the widow had two daughters. Among 
the taxables of Augusta township, in 1788, were David and John Melick.
	According to one account, the Malicks came to Pennsylvania from New 
Jersey, settling in the woods in what was then Northumberland (now 
Columbia) county, at the present location of Lightstreet.  At any rate, 
the pioneer Peter Malick lived there until the time of the Wyoming 
massacre  The family were panic-stricken at the report that the Indians 
were approaching on the war-path, and the men hastily got the horses 
together, the women collecting clothing, etc., which they tied to a 
young mare. The animal took fright at its unusual burden, ran away and 
was shot by the Indians.  Eventually, men, women and children had to 
make their way on foot to Fort Augusta, at Sunbury, which had been built 
in 1756, and there the family remained until the immediate danger was 
over.  It appears that Jacob Malick, son of Peter Malick, Jr., obtained 
his land in that region through the family's escape to the fort for 
safety. Peter Melick, Sr, made a will, but we have not found it on 
record at Sunbury. Peter Melick, Jr., of Wyoming township, made his will 
March 6, 1789; it was probated June 6, 1789.  He bequeaths to his wife 
Mary "Mellick," and to children: son John (double daughter Christiana 
shall have); son Peter (double of daughter Charity); son Mickel (double 
of daughter Margaret) son Henry; son David; and daughters Cristana, 
Charity, Margaret and Elizabeth.  Some children died young.
	One David Malick, born Oct. 4, 1759, died in 1834. His old family 
Bible is now in the possession of Mrs. William F. Keefer, of Sunbury, a 
distant relative of the Malicks. 
	The Jacob Malick above mentioned as one of the pioneers in what is 
now Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county, passed the remainder 
of his life and died there. His son Peter, born in that township, was a 
well known man of his day and a large land owner, having about five 
hundred acres. He died in 1871, at the age of seventy-five years, and is 
buried at a church in Lower Augusta township.  His wife, whose maiden 
name was Reeser, was a native of Northumberland county. They had 
children as follows: William; John B.; David; Peter; Jeremiah, who died 
in 1872, at the age of thirty-six years; Samuel; Daniel; Esther, born 
Aug. 28, 1828, who died in 1909 (she was the wife of Adam Renn and lived 
in Sunbury); Harriet who married Alexander Zortman; Mary A., who married 
Jere. Renn, brother of Adam, and settled in Iowa.
	William Malick, son of Peter, was born in the old home in Lower 
Augusta township. He became an early contractor and builder in his 
district beginning that business when he had to do all the work, from 
the hewing of the timber in the woods to the very completion of the 
houses and barns he constructed. Many buildings in the neighborhood and 
in adjoining localities were of his construction. He died in 1888, and 
is buried at the Stone Church in Lower Augusta township.  His wife, 
Hannah (Heilman); daughter of Daniel Heilman, bore him children as 
follows: Dr. Hiram died in 1889; Harriet married a Keifer and has 
children, Peter, Frank, Harry and Jennie; Maria is the widow of Jacob 
Wolf (they had a son Clement); 
	
	END OF PAGE 534
	
Simon P. is mentioned below; William married a Waid (they have Arthur 
and Melvin).
	SIMON P. MALICK, a well known general contractor and builder, was 
born Aug. 1, 1848, in Lower Augusta township, son of William Mahlick.  
He received his education in the district schools, and when a young man 
learned the carpenter's trade under his father's instruction, remaining 
with him until he reached the age of eighteen years. After that be found 
employment in surrounding towns until he came to Sunbury in 1871, 
engaging in business for himself. From 1873 to 1878 he was in the employ 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, as a carpenter, and he then 
returned to contracting and building on his own account.  Many of the 
buildings in Sunbury have been erected by him, and he has a mill on 
Tenth street where he gives employment to from forty to fifty mechanics. 
He is one of the most prominent citizens of Sunbury, not only as a 
business man but also in the conduct of public affairs, for he has 
served as councilman and served as chief burgess of East Sunbury 
borough. He was one of the organizers and is vice president of the 
Sunbury Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was also one of the 
organizers of the Sunbury Trust and Safe Deposit Company, of which he is 
still serving as a director. He is a Democrat in politics and a Lutheran 
in religion, belonging to Zion's Church, which he served many years as 
deacon and elder.
	Mr. Malick married Julia Bloom, daughter of Jacob and Julia 
(Bartholomew) Bloom, and they have had, three children: Bessie married 
Robert Messimer and has three children, Hazel, Julia and Robert W.; 
Elmer V. is mentioned below; Emma who lives with her parents, is a 
graduate of the Williamsport Academy, class of 1906. The family occupy a 
handsome residence on Catawissa avenue, Sunbury.

	ELMER V. MALICK has passed practically all his life in Sunbury, 
where he was born April 12, 1871.  He received his education there, 
being s member of the first class which graduated from the high school 
in East Sunbury, in 1889.  That spring be received a license to teach 
public school from Prof. William Bloom, and he had, his first experience 
in Ralpho township, this county, at the Pocohontas school. After 
assisting his father for some time in his planing mill and building 
operations, he took the civil service examination for letter carrier in 
Sunbury, in a class of forty-two, and was the second carrier appointed 
in the borough. He served in that capacity for seven years, until, in 
1908, he began his present general mercantile business at No. 256 
Catawissa avenue. He opened his store Feb. 17th. Mr. Malick carries a 
large stock and has had a profitable trade from the start. He is a man 
of excellent business ability and upright methods, and has succeeded in 
holding his patronage by honorable dealing. He owns his own home, a 
large and comfortable residence at No. 303 Catawissa avenue. Socially 
Mr. Malick belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
	On June 19, 1900, Mr. Malick married Clara M. Messimer, daughter of 
J. T. Messimer, of Sunbury. They have no children.
	Jacob Messimer, grandfather of Mrs. Malick, was a native of Center 
township, Perry Co., Pa., was a farmer by occupation, and died when his 
son John T. was two years old; he is buried in an old graveyard at 
Bloomfield. He married Margaret Marshall, who died in 1883, at the age 
of seventy-seven years. They had a family of five children, all 
deceased; Robert, Wilson, James, Maggie and John T.

	John T. Messimer, son of Jacob, was born in November, 1846, and 
died in 1902.  He was a shoemaker by trade, but for the last thirty 
years of his life was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railway Company 
as gang boss. While in Perry county he served as tax collector; and he 
removed thence to Sunbury in 1881, passing the remainder of his life in 
the borough. His wife, Emma Wetzel, daughter of George Wetzel, of Perry 
county, died in 1905, at the age of fifty-seven years. They had children 
as follows:  Robert, William, Mary (Mrs. Samuel Willits), Clara M. (Mrs. 
Elmer V. Malick), Rebecca (unmarried), Seymour, Wilson and Charles.
	Henry Malick, the grandfather of Emanuel Malick, of Shamokin, came 
from Germany and settled in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland 
county, on a farm about two and a half miles from the Susquehanna river. 
He had a large tract of land, which later was divided into two farms.  
When the Miles Run United Brethren Church was organized, at the 
schoolhouse of that name, in the winter of 1835, it was through the 
efforts of Henry and his brother, Peter Malick. Henry Malick is buried 
at Malick Church, in Lower Augusta township.  His children were: John 
W., David, Henry, Harriet (married Peter Zimmerman), Helen (married 
Peter Sheaffer), Lucy (married Joseph Arnold) and Elizabeth (married 
John Henninger).
	John W. Malick, son of Henry, was born in 1812, and died in 1860. 
He was a lifelong farmer, owning part of the original homestead, and 
also owned and conducted a sawmill.  He sold this farm before his death 
and removed to Limestone Valley, about half a mile from the old home 
place, where he died. He married Susan Heim, (daughter of Jonathan Heim, 
and they had children as follows: Samuel, deceased; Emanuel; Hiram, 
living at Williamstown, Dauphin county; Isaiah, liv-
	
	END OF PAGE 535
	
ing in Shamokin, Pa.; John L., also of Shamokin; William, deceased; and 
Emma J., wife of John Linderman of Shamokin.

	EMANUEL MALICK, son of John W., was born May 7, 1849, and obtained 
his education in the schools of his native township. His early life was 
spent in farm work at home, and in 1864 he came to Shamokin, where he 
began work in the mines, following this line for about nineteen years.  
He then engaged in the general store business in partnership with W. H. 
Malick and Flora Shuman, after six years buying out the interest of his 
partners and taking over the business entirely on his own account. He 
continued it until 1900, when he engaged in the restaurant business, 
which he has since followed, and in connection with which he is a cigar 
jobber and confectioner.  He has two places of business, one on Spruce 
street and another at Shamokin and Commerce streets, in Shamokin, and he 
is making a success of both establishments. Mr. Malick married Hannah 
Diliplain, daughter of Ezekiel Diliplain, and five children have been 
born to them:  Katie is married to  C. C. Malick and has a son  Robert; 
Andrew died in 1909, at the age of thirty-six years, leaving two 
children, Leon and Chester; William died when twenty-two years old; 
Frederick, a graduate of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., is now vice 
principal of the Dover (Del.) Academy; Flora O. is unmarried and resides 
at home.  The family reside at No. 508 Market street.
	Mr. Malick is a member of the Methodist Church, and in fraternal 
connection he holds membership in the I.O.O.F. and Encampment and also 
in the P.O.S. of A. He is a Republican in politics, and for a number of 
years took an active part in local affairs, having served many years as 
assessor of Coal township, six years as school director, and for six 
years as member of the poor board of Coal township, giving excellent 
satisfaction in every capacity.

	GEORGE W. MALICK, a successful young business man of Herndon, is 
descended through the line of Henry, one of the emigrant brothers named 
as progenitors of this family.
	John Malick, great-grandfather of George W., lived in the 
Mahantango Valley, and is buried in that section. His son Henry, who was 
a miller in Mahantango Valley, is buried at St. Peter's Church, in 
Jackson township, Northumberland county. Among his sons were John and 
George Henry, besides others who died young and are buried at Himmel's 
Church, near Rebuck.
	George Henry Malick, father of George W., was a miller in his early 
life, later becoming a drover and butcher. While engaged in that line he 
lived at Lake Hill, but he afterward became engaged in farming at 
Herndon, owning 175 acres. He died Aug. 31, 1908, at the age of sixty-
nine years, and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Shamokin.  His 
death, which occurred at the Miners' hospital, was caused by gangrene of 
the foot, brought on by cutting a troublesome corn.  Mr. Malick was a 
well known man of his day, having held several township offices, and was 
originally a Democrat later a Republican, in politics.  He married 
Caroline Heppler, daughter of Joseph Heppler, of Hepler, Pa.  They had a 
family of six children:  Jane married George L. Snyder; Lizzie married 
Lewis Heim; Kate (deceased) married John Lyon and (second) Daniel 
Scheib; Carrie married E. C. Fouil; Francis died at the age of seven 
years, of diphtheria, at Girardville; George W. is mentioned below.
	George W. Malick was born May 19, 1880, at Herndon, and was seven 
years old when his parents moved thence to Shamokin, where he received 
the greater part of his education.  When old enough he took up dentistry 
with U. S. G. Moore, of Shamokin, but after two years he gave up the 
idea of following that profession and entered the employ of I. W. Forry 
& Son, hosiery manufacturers.  He was with them for three years, after 
which he was employed by Ressler & Co., hosiery manufacturers, until 
that firm discontinued business. He then opened a mill for Madeira & 
Wanner, at Lyon Station, Pa., continuing there for one year, when the 
establishment was moved to Fleetwood.  Mr. Lyon embarked in the business 
on his own account at Lyon in November, 1902, and was there for two 
years, late in 1904 removing to Herndon, where he has since been 
located. He has a two-story building 58 by 28 feet in dimensions, where 
he runs twenty-five machines, giving employment to thirty-five people, 
and he also operates a mill across the Susquehanna river, at Port 
Trevorton, where twenty machines are operated, giving employment to 
twenty-five people. Mr. Malick is sole proprietor of both 
establishments, the one at Port Trevorton, however, being under the 
management of Henry Morrow. A ready market is found for the product 
which has an excellent reputation among dealers.
	In 1899 Mr. Malick married Priscilla Rhoades, daughter of Henry and 
Lila (Levan) Rhoades, of Shamokin, and they have had two children, Irwin 
George Henry and Lila Priscilla. Mr. Malick and his family are members 
of the Reformed Church.  He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding 
membership in Lafayette Lodge, No. 194, F. & A.M., at Selinsgrove, Pa., 
and to the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the lodge at Herndon.  
He is a Republican in politics, and is serving at present as member of 
the Herndon school board.
	John Malick, brother of George Henry and uncle of George W., was 
the historian of the family. He was educated for the medical profession, 
but never 
	
	END OF PAGE 536
	
engaged in practice.  In early life he was interested in the milling 
business, but discontinued it and took up farming at Leck Kill, where he 
made his home. He sold musical instruments and dealt in various other 
commodities.  He was married twice, and was the father of one child.  
Mr. Malick died in 1897 and is buried at Lake Hill. The day of his death 
he walked twelve miles. He had foretold the event and called neighbors 
to his assistance, giving them instructions about his funeral and 
burial.

	JOSEPH P. KNAPP, outside superintendent of mines for the Mount 
Carmel and Shamokin collieries, with residence at No. 34 North Shamokin 
street, Shamokin, is one of the best known men in the Pennsylvania coal 
fields, as well as one of the most widely experienced.  He was born in 
Wurtemberg, Germany, May 11, 1846, son of Gregory Knapp.
	Gregory Knapp, the father, came from Germany to America in 1849 and 
located at Minersville Schuylkill county; where he remained two years 
and in 1851 he moved to Trevorton, following the trade of carpenter.  He 
died at Trevorton in October, 1873, aged fifty-five years. His wife, 
Mary B. Peters, bore him fourteen children, of whom five grew to 
maturity, namely: Joseph P., John T., Mary, George and Frank.
	Joseph P. Knapp accompanied his father to America in 1849, and as a 
boy worked as a slate picker at the old Trevorton colliery.  In 1861 his  
parents removed to Ashland, and there he continued the same work for two 
years, after which he took up steam  engineering.  While there the Civil 
war broke out, and his loyalty to his adopted country showed in his 
enlistment March 18, 1861; in Company A, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, for 
three years.  This company was recruited in Schuylkill county, and was 
sent to the South, in the Army of the Cumberland, playing a brave part 
in the battle at Selma, Ala., April 2, 1865. After serving eighteen 
months he was honorably discharged, the war closing.  Mr. Knapp returned 
to his home in Trevorton, and for two years was employed as an engineer 
at the powder mill. From October, 1865, to April 2, 1866, he was engaged 
at powder making, but on the latter date the mill was blown up and he 
was badly injured and was under the physician's care for several months. 
This mill, owned by Kline & Heim, was at Fisher's Mill, below Shamokin.  
After recovering his strength Mr. Knapp worked at mining for some nine 
months, and then again took up powder-making, following it for two and a 
half years. He then spent six months in Sunbury in the employ of Ira T. 
Clement, at the end of that time returning to Trevorton to engage in 
mining at the bottom of the No. 1 slope. For some time he fired the 
boilers, and then became engineer. In August, 1874, he left Trevorton 
and went to Locust Dale to run the bull pumps at the Keystone colliery, 
a position he held for three and a half years.  In 1878 he was appointed 
outside foreman of the North Ashland colliery, and served in that 
position for four and a half years, after which he engaged in the 
bottling business at Ashland for a very short time. When he sold out his 
bottling business it was to become boss at the Knickerbocker colliery, 
near Shenandoah, Pa., of which he took charge in February, 1882, and 
continued in that position until Dec. 1, 1903, when he was made outside 
superintendent of the Mount Carmel and Shamokin collieries, consisting 
of seven breakers.
	On Nov. 24, 1874, Mr. Knapp was married to Susan Veith, daughter of 
former mine superintendent John Veith, a native of Bavaria.  Seven of 
the thirteen children born of this union are living, namely: Charles L., 
Minnie M., Catherine B., J. Frederick, Leo W., Alphonso J. and Gregory 
A.  Mr. Knapp is a member of St. Edward's Roman Catholic Church, and has 
reared his family in the faith of the Church of Rome. His only fraternal 
connection is with Lincoln Post; No. 140, Grand Army of the Republic.

	OTTO. The Otto family has had many creditable representatives in 
Northumberland county since its establishment here early in the 
nineteenth century by Conrad Otto, the great-grand-father of Abraham L. 
Otto and Edward J. Otto, brother; the former now postmaster at Herndon, 
the latter station agent and merchant at Otto, named after this family.  
John B. Otto, who is now living retired at Trevorton, Northumberland 
county, after a busy and successful life, is a grandson of Conrad Otto.
	Conrad Otto, born about 1766, came to Northumberland county from 
Berks county and was an early settler in what is now Jackson township. 
He was one of the early schoolmasters in that locality, and also worked 
as a laborer. It is said that during the earlier part of his residence 
in this county he lived at Trevorton, but he passed the greater part of 
his long life in the vicinity of Mahanoy and died in Jackson township at 
an advanced age. His wife, Barbara (Seiler), born March 24, 1769, died 
Jan. 20, 1857. They are buried at Mahanoy church (St. Peter's). Their 
children were: John; Adam; Elizabeth, who died in Jackson township; and 
Bevvy, who became Mrs. Peifer and had one daughter, Betty, who married a 
man named Michael (Bevvy and her daughter died in Illinois).
	The Federal Census report of 1790 records Henry and George Otto as 
residents of Northumberland county and heads of families, Henry having 
four sons under sixteen, and George having one daughter.
	Johan C. Otto, born Jan. 22, 1770, died Nov. 5, 1854, and buried at 
St. Peter's church at Maha-
	
	END OF PAGE 537
	
noy, was undoubtedly a brother of Conrad Otto, mentioned above.
	John Otto, son of Conrad, was the grandfather of Abraham L. and 
Edward J. Otto. He was born May 7, 1804, in Berks county, and came to 
this county with his father at an early age. He was a cobbler by trade, 
but later farmed in Jackson township, where he owned a tract of land, 
and he was engaged as a workman on the construction of the Schuylkill 
canal. He lived retired at Herndon for nearly twenty years before his 
death, which occurred there Aug. 3, 1886. John Otto was twice married, 
his first wife being Rebecca Groh, who was born Oct. 28, 1810, and died 
Dec. 20, 1845.  They had children as follows: Washington is mentioned 
below; Caroline, who is now over seventy years old, married Gabriel 
Adams and lives at Mandata, Pa.; Harriet, now living at Hickory Corners, 
Northumberland county, married Josiah Schaffer; Abbie (deceased) married 
H. S. Byerly; William C. is deceased.  Mr. Otto's second marriage was to 
Lydia Leader who was born Nov. 23, 1807, and died March 12, 1889.  They 
had: Rebecca, married Isaiah Snyder, of Millersburg, Pa. Samuel died at 
Verdon, Nebr., April 18, 1907,
	Washington Otto, son of John, was born May 4, 1833, in Cameron 
township, Northumberland county, and died June 24, 1897, at Mahanoy; he 
is buried there, at St. Peter's church.  He was engaged as a plasterer 
and stonemason in his earlier manhood, later following farming, having a 
valuable tract of 140 acres.  He also established the coal, bark and 
lumber business at Otto station (named in his honor), on the Herndon 
branch of the Philadelphia & Reading road, building up an extensive and 
profitable trade, to which his son Edward J. has since succeeded.  He 
was serving as trustee of St. Peter's Church at the time of his death.
	On Aug. 2, 1860, Mr. Otto married Harriet Bower, and to them were 
born twelve children, of whom we have the following record: (1) William 
H. H., born Oct. 31, 1863, died March 31, 1902. He settled at Shamokin, 
this county, where he became a prominent merchant in the wholesale 
grocery and confectionery line.  (2) Abraham L. is mentioned below.  (3) 
Agnes is unmarried. (4) George L., who died Jan. 1, 1908, aged forty 
years, was long an invalid.  (5) Mary married E. S. Hibush, a farmer, 
and they live near Otto station. (6) Lydia married D. P. Russell, of 
Otto, who is engineer at the pumping station there. (7) John C., born in 
1874, died Nov. 3, 1899, and was buried on his twenty-fifth birthday.  
(8) Edward J. is mentioned below.  (9) Cora married George S. Wilson, 
who is in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, and they live at 
Barto, Pennsylvania.

	ABRAHAM L. OTTO, son of Washington, was born April 22, 1865, in 
Jackson township, Northumberland county.  He received his early 
education in the public schools, later attending Union Seminary, at New 
Berlin, Pa., and in 1887 began teaching, being thus engaged for three 
terms in Jackson township. He was reared to farming, but has not 
followed that occupation since he began life on his own account.  In 
1891 he settled at Herndon, in Jackson township, where he engaged in the 
lumber and sawmill business, following that line for eleven years. He 
did a good business, giving employment to twelve men, and he is still 
interested in same, having been a director of the Shamokin Lumber & 
Manufacturing Company since 1905, and being also a stockholder in the W. 
P.  Zartman Lumber Company.  He is interested in the Auburn Shale Brick 
Company of Schuylkill county, and in these various relations keeps well 
in touch with commercial affairs. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster at 
Herndon by President McKinley, and has filled that office continuously 
since.  It is an office of the fourth class.  He is one of the best 
known men in his section, a substantial citizen in a business way and 
respected by all who have had dealings with him, in any of the relations 
of life.
	In 1891 Mr. Otto married Mary Brower, daughter of John Brower, Sr., 
of Herndon, and a member of an old family formerly of Chester county, 
this State, whence Nathan Brower came to Northumberland county, settling 
in Jackson township; he was a miller and farmer by occupation.  Mr. and 
Mrs. Otto have no children. They are members of the Reformed Church, 
which he has served as deacon. Politically he is a member of the 
Republican party.

	EDWARD J. OTTO was born Feb. 11, 1877, and was educated in the 
public schools.  His father trained him to business life, it being his 
wish that his sons Edward and John should succeed him in his mercantile 
enterprises.  John died at the age of twenty-five, as previously 
recorded, and the management of the business fell upon the shoulders of 
the younger brother, Edward, who continues to carry on the various lines 
established by his father, comprising the trade in coal, bark and 
railroad ties. The various other branches of his business he has added 
himself as opportunity offered or demand warranted, and he now has an 
excellent patronage in the original lines and also in grain and allied 
commodities.  He handles from 150 to 200 carloads annually of the 
various products he carries, his place being the business center for a 
wide territory. His lumber is shipped largely into the coal regions, for 
use at the mines. In addition to other things he handles farm 
implements.  He keeps three men employed regularly to assist him in 
looking after the numerous details of his various interests.  He has 
been station agent at Otto for some time, having succeeded his 
	
	END OF PAGE 538
	
brother Abraham L. (who was the first agent at station) in that 
position. Mr. Otto owns his father's old homestead farm of 140 acres, 
located at Otto (in Jackson township), and he cultivates land. In the 
spring of 1904, because of failing health, he gave up the farm work, 
selling his large farm stock, but having regained his health resumed the 
management and operation of the place in the spring of 1909. He erected 
his beautiful residence at Otto in 1903. There are few citizens of the 
locality busier than he, but be has nevertheless found time to serve his 
fellow citizens in local office, having been tax collector from 1906 to 
1909, and in the spring of the latter year he was elected roadmaster of 
Jackson township.
	On April 16, 1903, Mr. Otto married Sallie Shipman, daughter of 
Selesia and Lydia (Dunkelberger) Shipman, farming people of Lower 
Augusta township, this county, and they have had one son, named John 
William in memory of his two deceased uncles.  Mr. Otto and his family 
are members of St. Peter's Reformed Church at Mahanoy, and socially he 
unites with Lafayette Lodge, No. 194, of Selinsgrove, Pa. He is a 
Republican in political matters.
	Adam Otto, son of Conrad, was born March 1, 1808, in Jackson 
township, and followed farming throughout his active years. Moving out 
to Wayne county, Ohio, he engaged in agricultural pursuits there for 
about twenty years, prospering in all he undertook. Returning to his 
native township, he was killed by a train at Herndon, Feb. 27, 1861. His 
wife, Susan (Burkert), also met a tragic death, being, fatally burned in 
Cameron township, this county, when her son John was but three months 
old. They were the parents of three children: George, who went West when 
a young man and served three years in the army west of the Mississippi, 
in the heavy artillery, Sarah, who married Josiah Henry, of Sunbury, 
Pa.; and John B.

	JOHN B. OTTO was born Aug. 26, 1837, in Little Mahanoy township, 
this county, and was reared by his uncle, Jonathan Dunkelberger, who 
lived in that township, remaining with him until he reached the age of 
twenty years.  He attended school in that neighborhood, and learned the 
brick business. On Sept. 2, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 47th 
Regiment, P. V. I., and during his long service, which covered over four 
years, took part in the. following battles of the Civil war: Fort 
Finnegan, St. John's Bluffs, Pocotaligo, S. C., Sabine Cross Roads, 
Pleasant Hill, Can Run, Mansura, La., Berryvillie, Va., Opequan Creek, 
Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, Va. He received an honorable discharge 
Jan. 11, 1866, having made a creditable record for faithful service, and 
he has many interesting reminiscences of the army days.
	After the war Mr. Otto returned to his uncle, with whom he remained 
three years longer, engaged in hauling lumber. He then began lumbering 
on his own account in Cameron township, where he was engaged until 1896, 
the year of his removal to Trevorton.  Mr. Otto is one of the well known 
and esteemed citizens of his section. He engaged in the mercantile 
business at this point for several years before his retirement, and as a 
business man always maintained a high reputation for integrity and 
straightforward dealing. Since becoming a resident of Zerbe township he 
has served as supervisor and tax collector for a period of five years. 
He is a Republican in politics, and socially belongs to Post No. 140, 
G.A.R., at Shamokin. Mr. Otto is very fond of hunting and fishing, in 
which recreations he indulges as frequently as opportunity offers.
	In 1869 Mr. Otto married Charlotte Sweinert daughter of George 
Sweinert, of Little Mahanoy township. She died Aug. 23, 1908, and is 
buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Little Mahanoy. No children were born 
to this marriage.  Mr. Otto makes his home at Coal and Eighth streets, 
Trevorton.
	The Otto family in Berks county is descended from Dr. Bodo Otto, 
who was the most distinguished physician and surgeon at Reading, Berks 
county, from 1773 to 1787. He was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1709, and 
was thoroughly educated as a physician. He emigrated to this country on 
account of political dissensions, and revolution, landing at the port, 
of Philadelphia Nov. 10, 1755. After practicing his profession at 
Philadelphia until 1773 he removed to Reading, and the spirit of 
revolution beginning to assert itself in the community he distinguished 
himself by his patriotic devotion to the cause of freedom.  He was 
conspicuously engaged as surgeon general during the whole period of the 
Revolution, from 1776 to 1783. He died at Reading. His last will and 
testament, made Feb. 22, 1780, was probated July 26, 1787, and is on 
record in Will Book B, page 207. He made ample provision for his wife 
Margaret, bequeathing her the pewter, brass and copper utensils. He was 
thrice married, and had five children, three sons and two daughters, 
those named in the will being Frederick Christoph, John Augustus, Dr. 
Bodo (deceased) and Maria Elizabeth Marx(en).  Of these, Frederick died 
in 1827, and his German will is on record at the Berks county courthouse 
in Will Book 6, page 121. The executors were Daniel Merkel and Samuel 
Kindt.
	Dr. John Augustus Otto, son of Dr. Bodo Otto, was born in Hanover, 
Germany, in 1751, and accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania when they 
emigrated in 1755. He was thoroughly educated in the schools of 
Philadelphia and read medicine 
	
	END OF PAGE 539
	
under his father.  He settled in Reading in 1773 and carried on an 
active and lucrative practice until his decease in 1834. He was 
prominently engaged in the Revolution as a surgeon, and filled various 
public positions with distinction. His last will, made in 1833, was 
probated Jan. 1, 1835.  His wife Catharine (Hitner), daughter of George 
Hitner, of Marble Hall, in Philadelphia - now Montgomery - county, whom 
he married in 1776, was amply provided for in the will, which is on 
record in Will Book 7, page 244. He speaks of these children: Margaret, 
who married Benjamin Whitman; Mary, who married Gabriel Hiester, a 
prominent local and State official; Elizabeth, who married Hon. Henry M. 
Richards, of Reading, and had a son Washington; Sarah, who married 
Jonathan D. Hiester, attorney of Reading; John Bodo, who married Esther 
Green Witman; and Daniel Hitner, who married Sarah Whitman. A 
granddaughter, Catharine Elizabeth Otto Wood, was a legatee; it appears 
her mother, Maria, who married Joseph Wood, was deceased. Of this 
family, John Bodo Otto died in 1858; his will is on record in Will Book 
10, page 489, and his son John A. Otto and others were executors.