History of Northumberland Co., PA - Chapter 45



CHAPTER 45 - Pages 1013-1067
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
MT. CARMEL

   PATRICK DONOHOE was born in County Galway, Ireland, January 1, 1828. He
landed in New York, July 19, 1846, and at once boarded the train for the
Schuylkill mining region, and secured employment as a miner at Branchdale.
He remained in that vicinity until 1853, when he made Mt. Carmel his home.
In July, 1853, he was married to Julia Fahey, of Philadelphia, from which
union a large family were born. At the time of Mr. Donohoe's arrival at
Mt. Carmel a forest grew on the site of that prosperous town, and the coal
trade, to which it owes its development, received but little attention.
The Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company, following the discoveries of
Professor Rogers, geologist, had done some shafting; soon after Mr.
Donohoe's arrival he was given the contract to drive two hundred yards of
gangway at what is known as the Rough and Ready, and thus became the first
miner of any consequence in the Mt. Carmel region. In 1854 he was given
the contract to open the mine now operated by S. S. Beckel & Company.
Later he opened the Skidmore at the Coal Ridge colliery and subsequently
upon the failure of Eckle & Son, the operators, and the abandonment of the
Rough and Ready by Beaver, Geddis, Marsh & Company, secured the lease of
the entire tract and with George Schall and Richard Curnow operated very
extensively until 1866, when their lease expired. Mr. Donohoe was very
successful in his coal ventures and shortly after the war erected a fine
stone mansion on the outskirts of the town, where at an advanced age he
now lives in retirement. He is a consistent member of the Catholic church,
has filled various positions of public trust in the town, and enjoys the
esteem of the entire public.

   ALFRED M. MONTELIUS, deceased, was born at Mifflinburg, Union
county, Pennsylvania, son of John Montelius, a native of Philadelphia
and grandson of Charles Montelius, the progenitor of the family in this
State. The latter was a Frenchman of noble birth, who was educated for
the French legislature, but during the French Revolution the opposing
parties kidnapped him and sent him to America, where he was sold as a
"redemptioner," serving over seven years for his freedom. He was
purchased by a merchant on Market street Philadelphia, and by his
natural business ability eventually became a member of the firm, and
finally married the daughter of his former purchaser. During the
"Buckshot war" he was a member of the legislature of Pennsylvania.
Alfred Montelius was reared-and educated in Mifflinburg. and in his
early manhood he was a clerk and teacher, and for several years a
merchant at Curwensville, Pennsylvania. He served in the late war
eleven months as a member of the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, and after leaving the service came to Mt. Carmel in October,
1802, as superintendent of what is now the Mt. Carmel colliery. He
afterward operated this colliery as a member of the firm of Montelius,
Righter & Company, and was also interested in the mercantile business of
that firm until his death, November 27, 1885. He married Eliza J.,
daughter of Benjamin Hartshorn, a pioneer distiller of Clearfield
county, Pennsylvania, where he settled in 1800. To Alfred M. and Eliza
J. Montelius were born eight children: William T.; Ralph W.; Walton H.;
Kate, Mrs. Henry Brown; Belle, Mrs. D. M. Hinkle; R. Clark; Howard H.,
and Frank S.

   BERNARD HARVEY, contractor and builder, was born in County Donegal,
Ireland, January 1,1837, son of Jeremiah and Margaret (Harvey) Harvey.
His early life was spent in his native land, where he received a common
school education and learned the stone mason and bricklayer trade with
his father. In 1864 he came to America and located in Mt. Carmel,
Northumberland county, where, with the exception of two years spent in
Kansas, he has ever since resided. He has been engaged in contracting
and building, and has erected many of the largest public and private
buildings in the borough, among them being the Church of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel and the new public school building. He also erected the Catholic
church at Locust Gap, and has laid the foundations of nearly all the
principal buildings of Mt. Carmel and vicinity. Mr. Harvey was married,
July 3, 1807, to Fannie, daughter of Frank and Margaret (Boyle) Cull, of
Mt. Carmel. They are the parents of six children: Jeremiah; Frank;
James; Joseph; Mary, and Kate. The whole family are practical members
of the Catholic church, in the growth and prosperity of which denomination
Mr. Harvey has always taken an active interest. He was a director for
several years of the Mt. Carmel Building and Loan Association, was one of
the organizers of the First National Bank, and is at present a member of
its board of directors. Politically he is independent, and is now serving
his second term of three years in the borough council. Mr. Harvey is
recognized as one of the enterprising and successful business men of the
borough.

   RICHARD AND SARAH (GRIPE) CURNOW, natives of England, came to America
about the year 1847, and settled in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where
the former worked in the mines until 1860, when he removed to Mt. Carmel
and engaged in business for himself as a coal operator. He was one of the
pioneer operators of the town, and died there in January, 1880, at the age
of sixty-three years. He was the father of five children three of whom
survived him: William; Henry, of Philadelphia and Sarah J., deceased wife
of M. K. Watkins, of Mt. Carmel.

   WILLIAM CURNOW, station agent of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad,
was born in Llewellyn, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1852,
and is the eldest son of Richard and Sarah Curnow. He was reared in Mt.
Carmel from the age of eight years, and received a common school
education. He began his business life as a slate picker in the breaker,
and later worked as a driver. At fifteen years of age he learned
telegraphy, spending ten months in the local office of the Philadelphia
and Reading Railroad Company. One year later he was appointed station and
telegraph agent at Mt. Carmel for the Northern Central Railway Company,
and held that position seven years, later held positions as operator at
Sunbury in the superintendent's office, Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at
Susquehanna for the same company, at North Bend for the Standard Oil
Company, and spent two years in Albany, New York in the employ of the
Western Union Telegraph Company, thence to Norristown, Pennsylvania a
short time, and October 1, 1883, was appointed station agent and telegraph
operator for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company at Mt. Carmel
which position he has since filled to the satisfaction of the company and
the public generally. On July 6, 1870, he married Rebecca, daughter of
John B. and Catherine (De Frehn) Reed, of Mt. Carmel, who has had five
children: Harry E., deceased: Albert R.; Glenn N,; William R. C., and
Russell Vivian. Mr. Curnow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
I.O.O.F., P.O.S. of A., and R. A. Politically he is a Republican.

   JOHN YARNALL, retired, was born in Coal township, Northumberland
county, Pennsylvania, in 1828, son of Richard and Mary (King) Yarnall.
The father of our subject was a carpenter and millwright by trade; in
early manhood he located at Mt. Carmel, where he erected the Mt. Carmel
Inn, one of the first dwellings within the limits of that borough. The
subject of this sketch, who has been a resident of Mt. Carmel forty
years, learned the carpenter trade with his father, and worked at that
occupation for some years. In 1859 he married Henrietta, daughter of
Henry B. and Elizabeth (Winters) Mussina, of Centre county, Pennsylvania.
They are the parents of eight children: Mrs. William H. Hinkel; Henry M.;
Newton L.; Richard K.; Jerusha M., deceased; John W.; William, and Lizzie.

   RICHARD K. YARNALL was born at Mt. Carmel, February 6, 1865. After
taking advantage of the education afforded by the public schools of his
native town, he learned the trade of painter and paper hanger. After
working as a journeyman five years he commenced business at his present
location, March 1, 1889, since which time he has met with much success.
He is a Republican, and now holds the office of constable of Mt. Carmel.

   DAVID J. LEWIS, justice of the peace, was born in Shropshire, England,
October, 1824, son of David and Margaret (Naylor) Lewis. He came to
America in 1832, with John Jones, an uncle, who located in Minersville,
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where our subject was reared and received
a common school education. In 1853 he settled at Mt. Carmel, and embarked
in the general merchandise business, dealing also in coal, until 1857.
September 3,1861, he enlisted in the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry; he was
taken prisoner in the battle of Stone River, and spent two months in Libby
prison. He was then paroled and detailed from tamp parole to make out a
list of drafted men under Provost Marshal Clement, and was soon after
exchanged, receiving an honorable discharge from the service, September
30, 1865. Mr. Lewis was first married to Carolina Price, of Minersville,
Pennsylvania, by whom he has one daughter living: Margaret Mrs. J. Henry
Merkle. He married for his second wife Amanda Hill, of Schuylkill Haven,
Pennsylvania, by whom he has four children: John, a druggist; Kate, Mrs.
Albert Norsted; Josephine, Mrs. William Camp, and William H., a physician.
Since the war Mr. Lewis has been elected three terms as justice of the
peace. He is a member of the K. of M. and G.A.R., and politically is a
Republican.

   JOHN B. REED, late justice of the peace, was born in what is now
Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1819, son of
Jacob and Rebecca (Bittle) Reed, both natives of Schuylkill county. His
father served as justice of the peace in Pottsville, Pennsylvania,
fifty-four years, and was a prominent citizen of his locality. He was a
son of Thomas Reed, also a native of Schuylkill county, who was a son of
Samuel Reed, a native of Scotland, and a pioneer of Schuylkill county.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Jacob Bittle, a native of
Berks county, Pennsylvania, and of German descent. John B. was reared
and educated in his native county, and began his business life in the
mines, with which he was connected forty years as a miner and
superintendent of mines. He resided at St. Clair, Schuylkill county,
fifteen years, and during that time was justice of the peace ten years.
In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry,
serving as a private four months, when he was promoted to regimental
commissary, in which capacity he acted until the company re-enlisted in
1864, when he was detailed as chief clerk and superintendent, Third
division, Quartermaster General department, under Colonel T. R. Dudley,
serving in that position until his discharge in September, 1865. He then
located at Mt. Carmel, where he was superintendent of coal works three
years, and also held the same position at Locust Gap one and a half years,
when he became superintendent of Coal Ridge mines at Mt. Carmel until
1874. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace at Mt. Carmel, and
resigned in 1879 and removed to Mahanoy City, residing there three and a
half years; he then returned to Mt. Carmel, where he resided until his
death, February 22,1890. Mr. Reed was twice married, his first wife being
Catherine, daughter of Jacob De Frehn, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, by
whom he had eight children: Emma E., Mrs. David Huffman; Sarah J.; Mary
A., Mrs. John Stahl; Rebecca, Mrs. William Cunrow; Clara, Mrs. William
Umpleby, deceased; John E.; Jacob H., and Kate I., Mrs. H. P. Helwig. His
second wife was Eleanor F. (Teague) Adams, daughter of William Teague, of
England, who survives him. Mr. Reed was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and politically was a stanch Republican since the
organization of the party.

   EDWARD C. HERB, deceased, was born in Eldred township, Schuylkill
county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1849, son of Decatan and Maria
(Conrad) Herb, natives of Schuylkill county and Sunbury, Pennsylvania,
respectively. His father was a merchant and hotel keeper in Schuylkill
county and afterwards in Mt. Carmel, and was a son of Adam Herb, a
native of Berks county, Pennsylvania. John Conrad, maternal grandfather
of our subject, was a pioneer of Sunbury and resided there until his
death. Decatan Herb and family moved to Mt. Carmel in 1868, where he was
engaged in merchandising and subsequently in hotel keeping. Edward C.
purchased the hotel from his mother in 1872, and erected the four-story
brick, corner of Chestnut and Market streets, now known as the Locust
Mountain Hotel, in April, 1886. He was engaged in the hotel and livery
business, and also in the purchase and sale of horses, up to his death,
December 5, 1889. Mr. Herb was married, April 18, 1870, to Mrs. Maria A.
Detrich, daughter of Lemuel and Sarah J. (Malick) Chamberlin, of
Northumberland county. Two children are the fruits of this union:
Decatan E. and Clarence G. By her first husband, Harry Detrich, of
Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, she had one child, Sarah J., wife of Harry
Martz, of Mt. Carmel. Throughout his residence in Mt. Carmel Mr. Herb
was recognized as a progressive and enterprising citizen. He served in
the council for several years, was a director of the First National
Bank, treasurer of the K. of M., and a member of the Lutheran church.
Politically he was a Republican. He was an upright, honest man, and by
close attention to his business affairs accumulated through the passing
years a valuable estate.

   MICHAEL HORAN, retired, was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1815,
son of Thomas and Maria (Grady) Horan. His father was a farmer by
occupation, and our subject was reared upon a farm. He came to America
in 1835, stopped in Philadelphia for a few months, and then went to
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he remained one year. He then
removed to Maryland, where he was employed on a tunnel by the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company four years, after which he went to Indiana,
where he was engaged for some time. He then returned to Ireland, remaining
nine months, and in 1838 was married to Maria, a daughter of Bryan
McDermott, of County Galway, Ireland, by whom he has three children
living: Thomas J.; Hannah, Mrs. William H. Gallagher, and Bernard F. Mr.
Horan returned to America in 1838 and located in Pottsville, where he
worked in the mines for a time, subsequently engaging in the hotel
business at Minersville, Pennsylvania, eleven years, after which he
removed to Ashland, where he built the Union Hotel and conducted it ten
years. In 1864 he was elected sheriff of Schuylkill county and filled that
office three years. At the end of his term he resumed the hotel business
for a period, and then engaged in the coal trade. He located at Mt. Carmel
in 1870, where he has since resided. He was engaged for part of the time
as a railroad contractor, but since the fall of 1888 has lived a retired
life. He is a Democrat in politics, has served in the borough council one
term, and is a member of the Catholic church.

   M. K. WATKINS, cashier of the First National Bank, was born in
Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1851, and is a
son of James and Mary A. (Kear) Watkins, natives of Wales, who came to
America in 1851 and reared a family of five children, four of whom are
living: Ann, Mrs. Robert Wilson; William; Lizzie, and the subject of our
sketch, who was reared in his native county, educated in the public
schools of Minersville, and at the age of fourteen years began life for
himself as a telegraph messenger, the first in that place. While acting
in this capacity he learned telegraphy, and in 1871 located at Mt.
Carmel, where he received the appointment of ticket and freight agent of
the Philadelphia and Reading railroad, which position he filled five
years, to the satisfaction of the company and the public. In April,
1875, he embarked in the book, news, and stationery business in Mt.
Carmel, conducting the same until November, 1878. In 1879 he
established the Mt. Carmel News, which he successfully conducted alone
until 1885, when he disposed of a half-interest to Professor E. E.
White, and in 1887 disposed of the balance to his nephew, R. J. Wilson.
January 29, 1889, he was elected cashier of the First National Bank of
Mt. Carmel, which position he now holds. He was one of the main organizers
of that institution, having disposed of a large majority of its stock, and
is the largest stockholder. He was also one of the prime movers in the
organization of the Mt. Carmel Water Company in 1883, and also in the
Edison Electrical Illuminating Company, of which he is president, and is
the largest stockholder in both institutions. He is a member of the
Citizens' Building and Loan Association, of which he has been secretary
ten years. In fact there have been few public enterprises attempted at Mt.
Carmel in which the aid and influence of Mr. Watkins have not been felt.
He is a man of great business energy and commendable public spirit, and is
always ready to extend substantial encouragement to every enterprise that
has for its object the welfare or advancement of his adopted home. He was
married, July 8, 1880, to Sarah J., daughter of the late Richard Curnow, a
pioneer coal operator of Mt. Carmel. Four children were the fruits of this
union: James Marshall; Shirley S.; Matthew K., and Richard Vivian. Mrs.
Watkins died, December 27, 1889. She was a prominent member of the
Methodist Episcopal church of Mt. Carmel, and contributed liberally
towards the erection of the present church edifice. Mr. Watkins is
treasurer of the board of trustees of that church, is a member of the F. &
A.M., chapter and commandery, the I.O.O.F., and R. A. He is an ardent and
influential Republican, and is now (1890) president of the borough
council.

   THOMAS M. RIGHTER, of the firm of T. M. Righter & Company, general
merchants and coal operators, is one of the best known and most
prominent citizens of the anthracite region. He is a native of Berwick,
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Dr. W. W. and Jane F.
(McNair) Righter, natives of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. His father
was a well known physician of Berwick and Mauch Chunk, and died at the
latter place at the early age of thirty-three years. Our subject was
reared in Mauch Chunk and received a good education. He first engaged in
clerking, and was afterwards appointed United States mail agent between
Mauch Chunk and Janesville, Pennsylvania, and later was timekeeper in a
foundry in the former city. He was an engineer of construction on the
Lehigh and Susquehanna railroad, now a portion of the Jersey Central,
and was afterwards weighmaster of the Lehigh and Susquehanna railroad at
Upper Lehigh, and subsequently mining engineer and assistant
superintendent of the Upper Lehigh Coal Company. From 1870 to 1882 he
was superintendent of Sandy Run colliery, and in the latter year removed
to Mt. Carmel and embarked in the coal business as a member of the firm
of Montelius, Righter & Company, successors to Montelius, Robinson &
Company, proprietors of the old Stuartville colliery. Mr. Righter has
operated these mines very successfully, mining about one hundred fifty
thousand tons of coal annually. In October, 1882, the present store was
established by Montelius, Righter & Company, and on the 1st of January,
1886, T. M. Righter & Company succeeded the old firm. Mr. Righter is
recognized as a man of enterprise and commendable public spirit. He is a
director in the Edison Electrical Illuminating Company and president of
the Mt. Carmel Water Company, and was one of the principal promoters of
the latter enterprise. He has taken an active interest in educational
matters, and has been a member of the school hoard for six years and
president of the board five. He is a member of the board of managers of
the Miners' hospital, located at Ashland, Pennsylvania, and devotes much
time to the interest and welfare of that institution. Besides his local
interests he is also connected with the Midvalley Coal Company at
Wilburton, and Oak Hill colliery, near Minersville, operated by
Leisenring & Company; be is interested in the Moosic Mountain Coal
Company and the Mt. Jessup Coal Company near Scranton, and is a director
in the First National Bank of Shenandoah. He is politically a
Republican, is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is connected
with the Masonic fraternity. He has always taken a deep interest in the
growth and progress of his adopted home, and is a liberal contributor
towards the development of its social and material institutions.

   DANIEL D. BOLICH, dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Barry
township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1850, son of Charles
and Sarah (Dengler) Bolich. His paternal grandfather, Michael Bolich,
was a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of Schuylkill county. His
great-grandfather, Andrew Bolich, was a native of Connecticut, a
Revolutionary soldier, and one of the first settlers of Schuylkill
county, Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Dengler, was a
son of George Dengler, a resident of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, as early
as 1812, and there erected the first hotel in that town, now known as
the Merchant's Hotel. His father, Charles Bolich, was born in
Schuylkill county, learned the shoemaker's trade, and resided in his
native county until the spring of 1864. He then came to Mt. Carmel and
embarked in the boot and shoe trade, which he carried on until his
death, July 27, 1872, at the age of fifty-two years. He was appointed
postmaster of Mt. Carmel by President Johnson, September 27, 1865, and
served in that office nearly three years. To Charles and Sarah Bolich
were born the following children: Daniel D.; Susan E., wife of T. J.
Klace; T. Eliza, wife of Dr. James L. Seibert; Charles I.; Newton A.;
Michael O.; Sadie E.; Abraham L., and David W. Our subject came to Mt.
Carmel with his parents in the spring of 1864. He worked in his
father's Shop for a short time, and for two years served as deputy
postmaster. He afterwards remained in his father's employ until the
death of the latter, when he succeeded to the business which he has
since conducted. Mr. Bolich was married, September 9, 1880, to Emily,
daughter of Benjamin and Catharine (Burchfield) Hartshorn, of Clearfield
county, Pennsylvania. Three children have been the fruits of this
union: Charles; Wayne, deceased, and Newton. Politically Mr. Bolich is a
Republican, and an enterprising and progressive citizen.

   HENRY T. JOHN, merchant, was born in Locust township, Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, September 23, 1835, son of Abia and Jane (Teats) John. His
paternal grandfather, Asa T. John, was a son of Abia John, a native of
Chester county, Pennsylvania, and later a resident of Northumberland
county. Asa T. was born in Chester county, and lived and died in Ralpho
township, Northumberland county. The maternal grandfather of our subject
was John Teats, a pioneer farmer of Shamokin township, Northumberland
county. Abia John, father of Henry T., was a tanner by trade, but in later
years engaged in farming, and died in what is now Ralpho township, near
Bear Gap. He reared a family of six sons: Daniel T., of Nebraska; Henry
T., of Mt. Carmel; Asa T., a member of the Fourteenth United States
Regulars, who died at Fairfax, Virginia, in the fall of 1863; Lloyd G., of
Nebraska; Josiah E., who also served in the Fourteenth United States
Regulars, and is now residing on the old homestead in Ralpho township, and
Jeremiah M., of Mt. Carmel. The subject of this sketch was reared in
Columbia and Northumberland counties, received a common school education,
and at the age of sixteen began teaching in the public schools, which
vocation he followed some time. In August 1862, he enlisted in Company H,
One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, as second sergeant,
and was honorably discharged at the expiration of nine months' service. In
September, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, Seventeenth Pennsylvania
Cavalry, and served in the ranks until the close of the war. He
participated in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Cedar Creek,
Gordonville, Five Forks, and other engagements, and was present at the
surrender of Lee at Appomattox. After the war Mr. John settled in Mt.
Carmel, where he has resided up to the present. In 1869 he embarked in the
general merchandise business, in which he has since been successfully
engaged. In June, 1863, he married Mary E., daughter of Silas H. and Eliza
(Bunk) Johnson, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and has seven children
living: Silas C.; Charles L.; Clarence E.; William H.; George W.; Abia
F., and Milton. Mr. John is a member of the F. & A.M. and the G.A.R., is
vice-president of the Mt. Carmel Water Company, a director of the
Electrical Illuminating Company, and a stockholder in the First National
Bank Politically he is a stalwart Republican, and has served two terms
as chief burgess of Mt. Carmel.

   WILLIAM McFEE, retired merchant, was born at Ayrshire, Scotland,
January 26, 1831, son of George and Mary (Armour) McFee. He was educated
in his native land, where he also learned the trade of carpet weaver, at
which he was engaged seventeen years in Scotland. He immigrated to America
in 1863, and first located at Branch Dale, Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, where he remained six months. After removing to various
places in this part of the State, he came to Mt. Carmel, July 1,1866,
where he has since resided. During the first few years Mr. McFee worked in
the mines and at his trade, and in 1868 embarked in the candy business on
a small scale, enlarging his business from year to year. In 1870 he
established a general mercantile business, which he continued until 1888,
when he retired in favor of his son George. December 31, 1851, he married
Margaret, daughter of John and Mary (Gibb) Weir, of Ayrshire, Scotland,
and to this union have been born five children: George; Mary, Mrs. James
Shaffer; Jeannette, Mrs. Alexander Hunter; John, and William. Mr. and
Mrs. McFee are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in
politics he is a Republican.

   JOE GOULD, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Belmont, near
Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1840, a son of
William and Catherine (Hill) Gould. His father was a native of Bristol,
England. He came to America in early life, and enlisted in the United
States Navy, in which he served eight years. He then located in
Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged as a huckster for many
years, and in later life was boss and clerk for a coal company in
Taylorsville, Pennsylvania. In 1866 he located in Mt. Carmel, and died
there in 1870. His widow still survives him at the age of eighty. She
was a daughter of John Hill, a miller of Berks county, Pennsylvania,
whose wife, Mary Boone, was a descendant of Daniel Boone, the celebrated
Kentucky pioneer. The family of Mr. Gould consisted of eight children:
Maria, Mrs. A. B. Cochran; Joseph; Mary; William; Lizzie, Mrs. John
Reith; John; Kate, Mrs. John F. Ostler, and George B. The subject of
our sketch was reared in his native county; he served in the war of the
Rebellion, enlisting September 21,1861, in Company F, Forty-eighth
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and re-enlisted in the same company and
regiment, January 1, 1864. He was honorably discharged, July 24, 1865,
quartermaster sergeant of the regiment. In 1866 he located in Mt.
Carmel, where he was contractor in a steam saw mill one year, when he
accepted a position with the Coal Ridge Coal and Improvement Company,
until 1867. He then located in Bath, Northampton county, Pennsylvania,
where he held the position of superintendent of roofing slate quarries
two years. He returned to Mt. Carmel, where he was station agent for the
Lehigh Valley railroad two and one half years, when he accepted a
position as clerk for William Montelius, which position he held until
March, 1878. He then embarked in the general merchandise business with
Frederick Gross, which partnership existed up to January, 1887, when he
purchased his partner's interest, and has since conducted a successful
business alone. Mr. Gould was twice married: his first wife was
Elizabeth M. Laurie, of Easton, Pennsylvania; the second, Sarah D.,
daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Lerch) Culp, of Ashland,
Pennsylvania, by whom he has had two children: Anna C., and Joseph W.,
deceased. Mr. Gould is a leading merchant of Mt. Carmel, and one of its
most enterprising citizens. He is a member of the F. & A.M., G.A.R.,
and R.A. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.

   Oscar H. SILLYMAN, merchant, was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania,
January 26, 1830, a son of John and Margaret (Bobb) Sillyman. His
paternal grandfather, James Sillyman, was a native of Pennsylvania, and
an early settler of Schuylkill county, where he died. His maternal
grandfather, Conrad Bobb, was a pioneer hotel keeper of Schuylkill county.
John Sillyman, the father of our subject, settled in Pottsville about
1818; he was one of the first rivermen to raft coal to Philadelphia, and
helped to develop the coal interests of that section. He was
superintendent of collieries for many years, and was recognized as one
of the most successful superintendents in the Pottsville region. The
last twenty years of his life he lived retired. Our subject was reared
and educated in Schuylkill county, and began his business life when a
boy in the mines, where he worked in different capacities with the view
of being trained for the superintendency. In 1847 he became clerk in a
general store in Pottsville and served in that capacity up to 1853. He
then engaged in business for himself for a period, after which he had
charge of stores for different persons in Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, until 1865, when he came to Locust Gap and embarked in
merchandising. In 1868 he removed his stock of goods to Mt. Carmel,
where he has since done a general mercantile business. Mr. Sillyman has
always taken a deep interest in the public schools, is a Mason, and has
been an ardent, uncompromising Republican since the inception of that
party.

   THOMAS SCOTT, manufacturer, was born in Northumberland county,
England, February 24, 1836, and is a son of John and Mary (Patton)
Scott, who came to America in 1837, settling at Mine Hill Gap, where his
father was educated in mining ten years, when he removed to what was
then known as Payne's Patch, where he sunk the second slope in that
valley. After a residence of seven years at that place he removed to
Plymouth, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he was superintendent of
mines seven years. In 1861, after a short stay at Hazelton, he located
at Locust Gap, this county, where he was superintendent of mines until
his death in 1869. He had five children: Thomas; Mary A., Mrs. Henry
Eckman; Elizabeth, Mrs. George Roudenbush; George, and James. The
subject of our sketch settled at Locust Gap, this county in 1861, where
he was outside superintendent of a breaker three years. He then engaged
in the hotel business at that place until June, 1867, when he sold out
and engaged in farming in New Britain, Bucks county, Pennsylvania,
eighteen months. In 1869 he settled in Mt. Carmel, where for fifteen
years he was engaged in the hotel business. In the spring of 1885 he
embarked in the wholesale liquor business, in which he is still engaged.
In June, 1889, the Progress Hat and Cap Manufacturing Company was
established, of which concern Mr. Scott is president and treasurer. He
was one of the prime movers and one of the charter members of the Mt.
Carmel Water Company, and has been its efficient superintendent since
its organization. He is a director of the Citizens' Building and Loan
Association, and a stockholder of the Edison Electrical Illuminating
Company. In 1862 he married Sarah, daughter of Christian Gunsett, of
Locust Gap, and has seven children living: Minnie: Oscar: Frank; Alex.;
George; Katie, and Sallie. Mr. Scott is a prominent and leading citizen of
Mt. Carmel, a member of the I.O.O.F., and in politics a Republican.

   SAMUEL A. BERGSTRESSER, hardware merchant, was born in Union
county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1816, son of John and Ann (Auchmuty)
Bergstresser, of Scotch Presbyterian ancestry. His paternal grandfather
was Philip Bergstresser, a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, a
farmer by occupation, and a pioneer of Snyder county, where he died.
His maternal grandparents were Samuel and Ann (McMahan) Auchmuty, who
resided at Fisher's Ferry, Northumberland county, as early as 1772.
Samuel Auchmuty was drafted in the war of the Revolution, in which he
served four years, participating in the battles of Monmouth, Valley
Forge, Long Island, Germantown, and elsewhere, under General Washington.
He resided in this county until his death. John, father of our subject,
was a millwright by trade. He settled at Fishers Ferry, this county, in
1817, and built a saw and grist mill, which he operated nine years. He
then removed to Berrysburg, Dauphin county, and followed his trade in
connection with farming up to his death in 1833. He was the father of
ten children: Jacob; William; Mary, Mrs. Joseph Shipman; John; Lot;
Phebe, Mrs. Jonathan Hoffman; Samuel A.; Hannah, Mrs. Daniel Rumbarger;
Asa, and Julia, Mrs. A. B. Sprout, all deceased but Asa and Samuel A.
The latter came to this county in 1817 with his parents, removed with
them to Dauphin county in 1826, and returned to Northumberland county in
1834. He worked as a millwright until 1846; he then located at
Elysburg, and embarked in the general merchandise business, which he
successfully continued for twenty-three years. In 1870 he removed to
Mt. Carmel and engaged in his present business; his son, Samuel B., has
been associated with him since 1876. Mr. Bergstresser was married, June
9, 1846, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Eleanor (De Witt) Case, of
this county, by whom he had seven children, of whom two are living:
James C., editor and proprietor of the Insurance World, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, and Samuel E. Mrs. Bergstresser died, April 27, 1869.
January 16, 1872, he married Ann M., daughter of Dr. Joseph C. Robins,
of Elysburg, Pennsylvania, who died, March 25,1873. Mr. Bergstresser is
an elder in the Presbyterian church, of which he has been a member many
years. In 1853 he represented Northumberland county in the legislature,
and in 1860 he was a delegate to the national Republican convention at
Chicago which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. Politically
he has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party.

   DAVID CAMP, merchant, was born in Elysburg, Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, November 22, 1834, a son of Benjamin and Magdalena
(Hinkle) Camp. His paternal grandfather, Henry Camp, and maternal
grandfather, Abram Hinkle, were pioneer farmers near Elysburg; both died
near Bear Gap and are buried in the Reed Church cemetery. Henry Camp
had seven children: Benjamin; Samuel; David; Lambert; Mary, Mrs. John
Long; Sarah, Mrs. Daniel Hill, and a daughter who married Daniel Bloom,
all of whom are dead. Benjamin Camp, a carpenter and farmer, removed from
Elysburg to Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1839 and died there in 1873.
He had ten children who grew to maturity: Abraham; William, killed in a
breaker, August 8, 1854; Samuel; Benjamin; Daniel; David; Lavinia, Mrs.
David Everett; Mary, Mrs. Jacob Culp; Hannah, Mrs. Joseph Moyer, and
Sarah, Mrs. Joel Cox, all living except William. The subject of this
sketch was reared in Columbia county, received a limited education,
learned the carpenter trade with his father, and at the age of twenty-
one years started out for himself. He was a resident of Centralia,
Pennsylvania, thirteen years, where he worked at his trade eight years,
and conducted a drug store five years. In 1872 he settled in Mt. Carmel
and in 1875 embarked in the lumber business, in which he continued
thirteen years. In November, l886, he engaged in the general
merchandise business, and still continues at that occupation. His first
wife was Lavinia, daughter of Peter and Mary (Taylor) Persing of
Columbia county, by whom he has two children: Edward A. and Robert E.
His second wife was Phebe Persing, by whom he has seven children living:
Ida, Mrs. Robert Davis; Joseph; Stella; George W.; May; Carrie, and
Garfield. Mr. Camp is a member of the Lutheran church, and is connected
with the F. & A.M., I.O.O.F., and K. of M. He has served as councilman
and member of the school board of Mt. Carmel several terms. Politically
he is a Republican, and in November, l890, he was a popular candidate of
his party and borough for the legislature, but was defeated.

   E. C. TIER, merchant, was born in Utica, New York, in 1840. He
received his early education at the common schools, and at the age of
seventeen left home and followed the sea for eighteen months; on his
return he received further education at the Academy of Clinton, New
York, a private school at Waterville, and under private tuition at
Woodtown, New Jersey. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company H,
Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers. He received a very severe wound in the
battle of Gettysburg in l863, after which he was promoted to corporal,
then to sergeant, and afterwards to first sergeant. Just before the
siege of Petersburg he was honored with a first lientenancy, and with
that rank was discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Tier is a
Republican, and has served as councilman of Mt. Carmel; he is now a
member of the school hoard, of which body he is treasurer.

   LOUIS JOHNKOWSKI, merchant, was born in Nakel, Reg Bezirk Bromberg,
Province of Posen, Prussia, April 17, l857, and is a son of Louis and
Mary (Smoczkiewicz) Johnkowski. He was reared and educated in his
native country, and came to America in 1872, locating at Shamokin, this
county; where he was occupied as a barber six months. In 1873 he
settled in Mt. Carmel, where he conducted a barber shop five years. In
1878 be began teaching music, which vocation he followed until 1885,
when be became manager of the general merchandise business of Partica &
Lubeski, which position he held until August, 1888, when he embarked in
his present business. and has already built up a large and successful
trade. August 31, 1876 he married Lizzie, daughter of Joseph and Susan
(Weaver) Neal, of Mt. Carmel. Mr. Johnkowski is a member of St Joseph's
Catholic church, of which he has been organist since 1884. Politically he
is a Democrat.

   ISAAC GOLDSCHMIDT, clothing merchant, was born at Cincinnati Ohio,
December 24, 1847, son of Henry and Hannah (Shoehouse) Goldschmidt,
natives of Germany.  His father came to America in 1840, and located in
Baltimore one year; he then went to Cincinnati, where he remained
fourteen years, thence in 1855 to Iowa, residing there thirty-two years,
and in 1887 located in Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania, where he still resides.
He is a cabinet maker by trade, and has followed that occupation fifty
years. He is the father of five children: Isaac; Max; Dorothea;
Abraham, and Lewis. His wife died in 1887. The subject of this sketch
was reared in Cincinnati, where he received a common school education.
He began business life at the age of fourteen as clerk in a general
store, which occupation he followed for some time. In 1870 he located
in Shamokin, where he was book-keeper for Strouse & Company seven years,
when, on the dissolution of the firm, succeeded by W. H. Douty; he
became manager of the business three years. In 1880 he removed to Mt.
Carmel, where he embarked in business on an individual basis. He is now
proprietor of the leading clothing house in Mt. Carmel. He married,
October 5, 1873, Amelia, daughter of Solomon and Amelia Wolf, of
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of eight children, of
whom six are living: Charles; Helen; Saidy; Hattie; Jennie, deceased;
Amy; Solomon, and Joseph. Mr. Goldschmidt is a member of the I.O.O.F.
and a director in the Edison Electrical Illuminating Company.
Politically he is a Democrat.

   THOMAS J. HORAN, book-keeper, was born in Minersville, Schuylkill
county, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1845, son of Israel and Maria
(McDermott) Horan, natives of County Galway, Ireland. He was reared and
received his education in his native county, and began life as clerk in
the office of the superintendent of the Philadelphia and Reading
Railroad Company, which position he filled one year. On his father's
election as sheriff he was appointed deputy, which office he held three
years, and at the expiration of his time he read law one year with John
W. Ryon, of Pottsville. In 1862 Mr. Horan enlisted in the first nine
months service in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania
Volunteers. From 1871 to 1877 he acted as bookkeeper for railroad
contractors, engaged in the construction of railroads, after which he
removed to Kansas, where he was engaged in the same business three
years. He located in Mt. Carmel in 1881, since which time he has held
his present position. February 5, 1880 he married Martha C., daughter
of Frederick G. Wallbridge, of Kansas City. In politics Mr. Horan is a
Democrat, and one of the respected citizens of Mt. Carmel.

   CHARLES K. MAURER, deceased, was born in Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, in 1835, son of John K. and Catharine Maurer. He was
reared upon the homestead farm and early engaged in butchering; in 1869
he located at Mt. Carmel and established the first meat market in that
place, which he conducted until 1887, when he retired from business on
account of failing health and removed to Shamokin, where his death
occurred in February, 1889. Mr. Maurer was married in 1860 to Elmira,
daughter of John Wolfgang, of Schuylkill county, who survives him and
resides with her son, Dr. J. M. Maurer, of Shamokin. Mr. Maurer's
family consisted of six children, three of whom are living: J. M.; May,
and Valeria, all of whom reside at Shamokin.

   WILLIAM KIEFER, JR., was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania,
November 9, 1859, son of William and Ladora Kiefer, natives of Germany.
His father came to America in 1850 and located at Pottsville, where he
learned the butcher trade, which he followed several years. In 1885 he
removed to Mt. Carmel, where he still resides. He is the father of
seven children: Alice, wife of Mr. A. W. Samuels; William; Anna, wife of
Oscar Scott; Thomas; Mary; Mark, and Emma. The subject of our sketch
was educated in the public schools of Schuylkill county, and learned the
butcher's trade with his father. In 1878 he located at Mt. Carmel in
the employ of C. K. Maurer. October 20, 1885, he embarked in business
for himself. Mr. Kiefer has been a successful business man, and in 1889
he erected a large three-story brick dwelling, on the first floor of
which he has his meat market. He married, December 15, 1887, May,
daughter of Peter and Lydia (Wolley) Eddy, of Shamokin, by whom he has
two children: Ray and William. The family attend services at the
Lutheran church; politically he is a Democrat.

   WILLIAM W. KLEES was born near Fountain Springs, Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, July 15, 1855, a son of Isaac and Ann (Stevens) Klees.
His paternal grandfather, a native of France, was a drummer boy under
General Lafayette in the war of the Revolution, and settled in the
Wyoming region of Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather was of English
descent, a pioneer of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and at one time
was owner of a large part of Frackville. The father of our subject
resided for many years in Schuylkill county, and died at Girardville,
where he reared a family of seven sons and two daughters. The subject
of this sketch was reared in his native county, began life picking slate
in the breaker when seven years of age, and afterward engaged in mining
ten years, when he served an apprenticeship of two years at the butcher
trade. He came to Mt. Carmel in 1881, where for seven years he was
employed in the meat market of C. K. Moyer; he then purchased the
business, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Klees married,
December 12, 1883, Kate, daughter of John Tysher, of Mt. Carmel, and has
two children: Anna and Della. He is a member of the K. of M. and P.O.S. of
A., was elected to the borough council of Mt. Carmel in 1889, and
politically is a Republican.

   OSCAR J. SCOTT, manufacturer and dealer in furniture, was born in
Mt. Carmel township, Northumberland County, July 28, 1864, son of Thomas
and Sarah A. (Gunset) Scott, of this borough. He was reared in Mt.
Carmel and received his education in the public schools.  At the age of
thirteen he began clerking in a general store, and followed that
occupation for five years. He afterwards served a three year'
apprenticeship at the cabinet maker's trade. In the spring of 1881 he
embarked in the furniture trade and has built up a fair business. Mr.
Scott was married August 22, 1888, to Anna, daughter of William and
Deborah (Zindel) Kiefer, of Mt. Carmel, who has borne him one son,
Ralph. Mr. Scott is a member of the F. & A.M. and P.O.S. of A., and in
politics he is a Republican.

   REV. MARK A. O'NEILL, pastor of the Church of Our Lady, was born at
King James Battery, County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1844, a son of John
and Alice (Dunn) O'Neill. His father was a major in her Majesty's Royal
Artillery. The subject of this sketch first studied for the army at the
Royal College, Woolwich, England, and later studied there three years at
the Missionary College of All Hallows, Dublin. In 1866 he went at Rome
to study for the priesthood, and remained four months at the Carmelite
Convent. After spending two years at home he came to America, located
at Windsor, Ontario, and taught in Sandwich College one year. He then
went to Germantown, Pennsylvania, joined the order of St. Lazarus, and
was connected with Lazarus College nine months, after which he went to
Philadelphia, where he was ordained to the priesthood, November 4, 1870,
and was assigned as assistant of St. Joseph's church, Danville,
Pennsylvania, serving in that capacity six months, after which he was
pastor one year. In 1871 he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's church,
Milton, and St. Michael's church, Sunbury, which charges he filled four
years, with residence at Milton. He was then assigned to charges at
Lykens and Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and resided at Lykens thirteen
years, where he built a parsonage, and also erected a church at
Williamstown. In 1887 he took charge of the Church of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel, and under his supervision the present fine church edifice was
erected. This church has a membership of fifteen hundred, and under the
pastorate of Father O'Neill, has grown rapidly.

   REV. JEROME KLONOWSKI, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic church, was
born in West Prussia, February 28, 1862. He received a classical education
in his native land, and came to America in 1879. He studied theology three
years and a half at St. Vincent's College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and a
year and a half at the Catholic Seminary on Sylvan Heights, Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Shanahan,
December 24, 1884, and was immediately appointed assistant of St.
Stannislaus Catholic church at Shamokin, Pennsylvania. He remained in
Shamokin until December 9, 1886, when he was appointed pastor of St.
Joseph's church of Mt. Carmel, where he has since been located. Since
coming to Mt. Carmel Father Klonowski has shown much energy, and made
many improvements in the church property. He has fenced and painted the
buildings, put in steam heating apparatus in both the residence and
church, and has recently had the latter beautifully frescoed. He
contemplates erecting a substantial brick school building on the site of
the present parochial school, in l891, and is working hard for the
spiritual and material interests of his congregation.

   WILLIAM N. LEHMAN, superintendent of the Mt. Carmel public schools,
was born in Tremont, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1853,
son of John F. and Sarah H. (Cressman) Lehman. His paternal grandfather,
Jacob Lehman, was a native of Schuylkill county, and of German descent.
His maternal grandfather was born in Montgomery county, and for many
years was a resident of Schuylkill. His father is a native of
Schuylkill county and is now engaged in the boot and shoe business at
Tremont, Pennsylvania. Professor Lehman obtained his early education at
local common and select schools, and began teaching at the age of
sixteen. From that time until the present he has been continuously
engaged in educational work, with the exception of one year. For twelve
consecutive terms he taught in his native town, rising from the lowest
grade to the position of principal. He was elected to the
superintendency at Mt. Carmel in 1882, and has performed the duties of
this responsible position in a manner creditable to himself and valuable
to the community. On the 10th of July, 1871, he married Alice R.,
daughter of Amos and Lydia (Seltzer) Shirk, of Grantyille, Dauphin
county, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of five children: Katie
L.; John S.; Minnie G.; William C., and Emily. Mr. Lehman is a
Republican in politics, and is connected with the P.O.S. of A. He is a
member of the Lutheran church, in which he has served as superintendent
of the Sunday school.

   ELIJAH WHITE was born in England in 1832. His early days were spent in
superintending machinery in the mines of Cornwall and Devonshire. He came
to America in 1866, and worked as a miner and mine contractor and foreman
of mines in the anthracite coal regions. He has filled several positions
of honor and trust in the borough of Mt. Carmel, and is a Republican in
politics. Mr. White was married in his native land to Catharine Newcombe,
a native of England, who is the mother of six children. He is a Methodist
in religious persuasion, and a member of the Order of Foresters, I.O.O.F.,
and K. of P.

   ELIJAH E. WHITE, editor and school teacher, was born near the city
of Plymouth, England, March 15, 1858, and is a son of Elijah and
Catharine White, of Mt. Carmel. He came to America in 1869, and spent
his early days in the coal mines near Mt. Carmel. He received his
education in the common schools of that borough and at Elysburg Academy,
also from private instructors. In 1874 he began newspaper work as
correspondent for the Shamokin Herald and seven years later accepted the
editorship of the Mt. Carmel News, which position he filled in an able and
efficient manner until his retirement in 1891. In 1876 he was appointed a
teacher in the Mt. Carmel public schools, with which he has since been
connected, and is now principal of the grammar school. In connection
with his professional duties he is also engaged in the real estate
business. He is a director of the Citizens Building and Loan Association,
clerk to the borough council, and notary public for the First National
Bank. Mr. White was married in June, l887, to Fannie, daughter of Tobias
and Julia Bickel, of Mt. Carmel. One daughter, Julia Catharine, has been
born of this union. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and is connected with the I.O.O.F. and Masonic
fraternity.

   GEORGE A. STECKER, postmaster, was born in Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania,
May 13, 1858, a son of A. F. and Mary A. (Beck) Stecker, natives of
Northampton and Schuylkill counties, Pennsylvania, respectively, who
settled at Mt. Carmel in 1856, where the father was identified with the
coal interests in different capacities and for several years was
postmaster. His family consisted of seven children: Charles Edward;
William H.; George A.; Joseph O.; Mary E.; Ada, and Kate, Mrs. Frank
Semmet. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native
town, began his business life in the collieries, and was engaged at mining
engineering twelve years. In 1881 he married Alma E., daughter of Elijah
and Catharine White, of Mt. Carmel, formerly of England, and has three
children: Leon; Mabel, and Raymond. In politics Mr. Stecker is an active
Republican; he was appointed postmaster of Mt. Carmel, August 17, 1889,
and confirmed by the Senate, December 20, 1889.

   JOSEPH DEPPEN, dealer in real estate, was born in Upper Mahanoy
township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1837, son of
Abraham and Mary (Snyder) Deppen. His father is a farmer, and resides
in Jackson township, this county. He is the father of six children,
four of whom are living: Louisa, wife of Dr. Reuben Mirth; George;
Joseph, and Alexander. The subject of this sketch received a limited
education in a school taught in a grist mill, situated in Dauphin
county, close to the line of Northumberland; after attaining his
majority he was engaged in the droving business three years, and
afterwards in mercantile pursuits at Herndon nearly two years. In
April, 1869, he removed to Mt. Carmel, where he was engaged in the hotel
business fifteen years, being proprietor of the house now known as the
Commercial. Mr. Deppen was one of the organizers of the Mt. Carmel Savings
Bank, in which he is still a director. He was married, September 7, 1867,
to Lizzie, daughter of Jacob and Eve Elizabeth (Weiser) Hoffman, of Jordan
township, Northumberland county. They are the parents of four children:
Lizzie; Mary Ada, wife of Dr. F. D. Raker, of Shamokin; Joseph, and
Gertrude. Mrs. Deppen has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church
all her life, and November 2, 1890, her husband and four children united
with that church. In politics Mr. Deppen is a Democrat, but has never
taken a very active interest in political affairs.

   WALTON H. MONTELIUS, dealer in real estate, was born in Curwensville,
Pennsylvania, July 13, 1856, son of Alfred M. Montelius. He was reared and
educated in Mt. Carmel, and subsequently took a course, at Pierce's
Commercial College of Philadelphia. He then became a partner of the firm
of A. M. Montelius & Sons, merchants, in which he was interested three
years, when the firm became Montelius, Righter & Company, in which our
subject retained the position of manager. In November, 1887, he went to
Slater, West Virginia, as secretary and vice-president of the Slater Creek
Coal and Coke Company, with which he was connected until June, 1888.
Returning to Mt. Carmel he afterwards entered the real estate business
with headquarters at Charleston, West Virginia, in which he has since been
engaged. Mr. Montelius was married, September 17, 1879, to Alice M.,
daughter of Abraham Gates, of Curwensville, Pennsylvania. Two children,
Ella and Jennie, are the fruits of this union. Politically he is an
independent Republican, a member of the F. & A.M., Lodge No. 378, and
Griscom Chapter, No. 219, also Prince of Peace Commandery, the last two of
Ashland, Pennsylvania.

   WILLIAM B. FAUST, attorney at law, was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, a
son of Samuel and Margaretta (Miller) Faust, August 5,1853. His father was
a hatter by trade, and removed to Sunbury, this county, in 1863, where he
died, January 1, 1888. The early education of the subject of this sketch
was received in public and private schools. In 1809 he entered Mercersburg
College, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, for a preparatory course,
remaining there until 1873. The same year he entered Franklin and Marshall
College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he remained one year. In 1875 he
began the study of law with A. N. Brice, of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, and was
admitted to the bar, June 8, 1877, remaining with Mr. Brice until
September, 1878, when he located at Mt. Carmel, where he has built up a
successful practice. Mr. Faust is a prominent member of the F. & A.M., and
I.O.O.F., and, politically, he is a Republican.

   VORIS AUTEN, attorney at law, was born in Chillisquaque township,
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1856, son of William
Maxwell and Sarah (Allison) Auten. His paternal grandfather was a native
of this county, and a miller by occupation; his maternal grandfather was
a pioneer of this county. His father was born in this county, was a
millwright by trade, and resided in Chillisquaque township until his
death in January, 1891. He and his wife were both married twice, and
reared a family of thirteen children. The subject of this sketch was
reared in his native township, and educated in the common schools, the
Lewisburg Academy, and the University at Lewisburg, receiving at the
latter institution a partial scientific course. He taught school several
terms in his native township and six years in the public schools of
Sunbury. He began the study of law with Frank Marr of Sunbury, in April,
1879, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1881. In 1883 he located
at Mt. Carmel, where he has since been in active practice. He married,
June 9, 1887, Jennie, daughter of Dr. George M. Renn, of Sunbury. Mr.
Auten was elected district attorney for this county in the fall of 1889.
He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and F. & A.M., and in politics is a
Democrat.

   JEREMIAH SNYDER was born in Penn township, Snyder county, Pennsylvania,
June 18, 1832, a son of George A. and Catharine (Schoch) Snyder. He was
reared in his native county, and was nearly twenty years of age before he
could read or write. The first twenty years of his life were passed on the
farm and in the saw and grist mill of his father. He then began to attend
a common school during the summer months, and worked in the mill during
the winter. He had now arrived at an age when he felt most keenly the need
of an education, and therefore applied himself with great diligence, both
in and out of school. In a short time he became qualified to impart
instruction to others in the common English branches, and taught school
for a few winters in the vicinity of his home, and also for a short time
in New Berlin. While thus engaged in teaching he began the study of law by
himself, bending all his energies in that direction, and improving all the
spare time therein. During this time he received occasional instructions
from Isaac Hanker. When about twenty-five years of age he entered the law
office of Charles Hower, at Selinsgrove, where he finished the
preparation for his profession, and in March, 1861, was admitted to the
bar at Middleburg, Snyder county, Pennsylvania. The summer previous he
had served as a delegate of the Democratic party to the Charleston
convention. In April, 1861, when the call was issued by President
Lincoln for seventy-five thousand volunteers to aid in quelling the
Rebellion, Mr. Snyder was the first man to enlist from Snyder county.
He was elected corporal of Company G, Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
and after three months' service was honorably discharged and returned to
his home in Middleburg. In June, 1862, he recruited Company F, One
Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and, although the
unanimous choice of the company for captain, yet, owing to political
influences, he yielded the honor to George W. Ryon, of Snyder county,
who obtained the position. Mr. Snyder was then elected lieutenant of the
company; unfriendly political influences, however, were brought to bear
against him, and he resigned his position at Hagerstown, Maryland, and
returned home. During the winter of 1863 he removed to Shamokin, where
he entered upon the practice of his profession. The following April he
located in Sunbury, and in 1865 he was elected district attorney, and re-
elected in 1868, and served six years. In August, 1866, he was a delegate
from the Fourteenth congressional district of Pennsylvania to the Union
convention at Philadelphia. In 1873 be was elected justice of the peace,
and resigned his position to enter the lower house of the Pennsylvania
legislature, to which he had been elected by the Democratic party of
Northumberland county in the fall of 1876. In 1884 he purchased the
Commercial Hotel at Mt. Carmel, which he still owns, remodeled it into a
first-class hotel, and conducted it two years. He then removed to Sunbury
and remodeled the Fairmount Hotel, which he had purchased in 1879,
conducted it one year, and sold it in 1889. He returned to Mt. Carmel in
the spring of l889, where he now resides. Mr. Snyder was first married,
April 24, 1862, to Harriet, daughter of Henry A. Smith, of Middleburg,
Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and May 1, 1879, to Emma, daughter of
Jonathan and Catharine (Byerly) Rupp, of Mt. Carmel.

   WILLIAM T. WILLIAMS, physician and surgeon, was born in Merthyr
Tydfil, Wales, April 27, 1854, a son of Thomas T. and Margaret (Hughes)
Williams. They immigrated to America in April, 1855, and located at
Scranton, Pennsylvania, where the father, who was a stone mason by
trade, followed his vocation several years. In 1864 he removed to
Northumberland county and engaged in mining and contracting; he is now
living in Mt. Carmel where he has resided since 1865. He reared a
family of four children: William T.; John R., for several years a
merchant of Mt. Carmel, where he died in August, 1886; Maggie, a teacher
in the public schools, and Mary who is clerking in E. C. Tier's dry
goods store. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Mt.
Carmel. In 1872 he began the study of medicine under Dr. H. Gulick,
with whom he studied two years, after which he read with Dr. D. V.
Boynton, of Knoxville, Tennessee. He then attended two courses of
lectures at the Louisville Medical College, and in September, 1874,
entered the Medical University of the City of New York, from which he
graduated, March 14, is 1875. The same spring he began the practice of
his profession at Plains, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he
remained one year. In January, 1876, be removed to Mt. Carmel, where he
has built up a large and successful practice. He has also been engaged
in the drug business with Dr. R. W. Montelius since November, 1886. He
married, April 13,1880, Jennie, daughter of Howell and Sarah Jeffries,
of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, and has had two children: Thomas Lamar,
and Harold, deceased. Doctor Williams is a member of the Congregational
church, the F. & A.M., K.T., and I.O.O.F. He is a member of the
Schuylkill County Medical Society, is ex-president of that society,
member of the executive committee on medical State law, the Pennsylvania
State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and was a
member of the International Medical Congress of 1857. Politically he is
a Republican, and one of the enterprising citizens of the county.

   RALPH W. MONTELIUS, physician, was born in Curwensville, Clearfield
county, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1854, son of Alfred L. and Eliza J.
(Hartshorn) Montelius. After reaching the age of nine yeas his parents
removed to Mt. Carmel, where he was reared and received a common school
education. He also attended the academies at Mifflinburg and Elysburg,
and the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. He began the
study of medicine under Dr. W. J. Haas, of Mt. Carmel, in 1871, and
graduated from Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, March 1l,
1876, at the head of his class. In the autumn of the same year he
entered upon the practice of his profession at Mt. Carmel, where he has
since successfully prosecuted its active duties. October 17, 1876, he
married Carrie E., daughter of O. H. Sillyman, and they are the parents
of two children: Carrie E. and Katharine. Doctor Montelius is a member
of the F. & A.M. and R. A., the Schuylkill County Medical Society, the
State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is a
Republican in politics, and one of the best known and most progressive
citizens of his adopted home.

   EDMUND W. SAMUEL, physician and druggist, was born at Blanavon,
England, November 27, l857, son of Edmund and Mary (Bower) Samuel, who
came to America in 1860 and located at Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1861
they removed to Schuylkill county and in 1863 settled in Ashland, where
they resided until 1872; after changing about to different parts of the
county they finally returned to Ashland in 1886, where they now reside.
The Doctor's father occupied the position of superintendent of the
Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company fifteen years, and in
1889 was a member of the State board of mining examiners. He was the
father of seven children, three sons and four daughters: Dr. Edmund W.;
Lizzie, wife of Samuel McConnell; Thomas P.; William C.; Mellie; Emma,
and Gertrude. The subject of this sketch received his early education
at the public schools, and was under private instructors four years. In
1874 he entered the drug store of J. H. Pritchard & Company, Ashland,
Pennsylvania, and while engaged in the drug business he also pursued his
medical studies with Dr. William B. Owens of the same place. He entered
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in October, 1878, and graduated
from that institution, March 13, 1880. He commenced practice in Ashland
in April of the same year, and the following November located in Mt.
Carmel, where he has since been engaged in the active duties of his
profession. In 1887 Doctor Samuel became a member of the firm of Dr. E.
S. Heiser & Company druggists, which partnership existed until July 25,
1889, when he purchased Doctor Heiser's interest and has since conducted
the business alone. Doctor Samuel was married, April 25, 1556, to Alice,
daughter of William and Deborah Kiefer, of Mt. Carmel, who has borne him
two Sons: Frank and Roger. The Doctor is a member of the Schuylkill
County Medical Society and the State Medical Society. Politically he is
a Republican, and is a member of the school board, taking a deep interest
in the growth and progress of the public schools. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, the I.O.O.F., K. of M., and R. A.

   GEORGE W. HARPEL, homoeopathic physician, was born at Nazareth,
Northampton county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1849, son of Mark and
Martha (Morgan) Harpel, of German and Welsh descent, respectively. Mr.
Harpel was educated at the State Normal School at Millersville,
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and began the study of medicine with Dr.
M. H. Harpel at Shamokin, Pennsylvania. In 1879 he entered Hahnemann
Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1881, and
began the practice of his profession at Lititz, Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, the same year. In January, 1882, he located at Mt.
Carmel, where he has since been in active practice. In May, 1882, he
married Annie R., daughter of George and Lizzie (Kennedy) Garrett, of
Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and to this union one child has been born,
Bessie E. Doctor Harpel is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and politically is a Republican.

   B. F. BARTHO, physician, was born in Halifax, Dauphin county,
Pennsylvania July 4, 1862, son of Gabriel and Magdalena (Kessler)
Bartho, natives, respectively, of Berks and Schuylkill counties,
Pennsylvania, and of German origin. His father is a miller by trade,
and resides in Schuylkill county. John Bartho was the father of Gabriel
Bartho; the father of Magdalena Bartho was Michael Kessler, a pioneer of
Hegins township, Schuylkill county, where he owned and improved a tract
of three hundred acres of land which acquired the name of Kessler's
District It was with him that B. F. Bartho was reared, obtaining an
elementary education at the public schools, after which he attended
Berrysburg Academy and the Millersville State Normal School. He taught
three terms of school in Schuylkill county. In 1882 he began the study
of medicine with Professor H. R. Barnham, demonstrator of anatomy at the
College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Maryland; he entered
that institution in 1884, and was graduated with honors in 1886,
receiving the gold medal in gynaecology. He was at once appointed
resident physician to the Maryland Lying-in Asylum, Baltimore.
Resigning this position in 1887 he came to Mt. Carmel, where he has
since been engaged in the active duties of his profession. He is a
member of the Schuylkill County and State Medical Societies, and while
in Baltimore he belonged to the Medical Chirurgical Society. He is a
member of the K. of M., and in politics is a Republican. Doctor Bartho
was married, June 10, 1890, to Annie, daughter of Tobias Bickel of Mt.
Carmel.

   WILLIAM H. LEWIS, physician and surgeon, was born in Mt. Carmel,
Pennsylvania, August 2,1860, son of David J. and Amanda (Hull) Lewis,
mentioned in this chapter. He received his education in his native
town, and began the study of medicine with Dr. W. T. Williams, of Mt.
Carmel, in 1884. He entered the medical department of the University of
Pennsylvania in 1885, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College in
1888. He began the practice of medicine at Locust Dale, and in 1889 came
to Mt. Carmel, where he has since been in active and successful practice.
In politics he is Republican.

   H. H. GEIGER, of the firm of Geiger, Hinkel & Company, proprietors
of planing mills, was born in Port Carbon, Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, September 8, 1851, son of Michael and Mary A. (Handwork)
Geiger, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania. Our subject was reared
in Port Carbon, and served an apprenticeship of three years at the
carpenter business. He worked as a journeyman up to February, 1883, when
he located in Mt. Carmel and in connection with his brother William
established a planing mill under the firm name of Geiger Brothers. They
operated the mill four years, and in March, 1887, William H. Hinkel and
John P. Gibson were admitted into partnership, since which time the
business has been conducted under the name of Geiger, Hinkel & Company.
It is the only planing mill in Mt. Carmel, and is doing quite a
successful business. Mr. Geiger was married, December 18, 1888, to
Lizzie, daughter of George and Catherine (Marquardt) Gwinner, of Port
Carbon. He is one of the representative and well known business men of
the borough.

   WILLIAM H. HINKEL, of Geiger, Hinkel & Company, proprietors of a
planing mill, was born in West Delaware, Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, November 28, 1851, son of Michael and Lydia (McCord)
Hinkel. His paternal grandfather, Abraham Hinkel, was a pioneer stone
mason of Northumberland county. His maternal grandfather, John C.
McCord, was a native of Schuylkill county and of Irish descent. He was
a carpenter, wheelwright, and cabinet maker by trade. Michael Hinkel,
father of our subject, was born near Elysburg, Northumberland county, is
a brickmaker by trade, but has spent most of his life working in the
mines. He has been a resident of Mt. Carmel since 1866, and is the
father of the following children: Elizabeth, wife of John D. Frank:
William H.; Daniel M.; Lydia, wife of James Gibson; Samuel; Elmer;
George and Sherman, deceased, and James. The subject of this sketch was
educated in the common schools of Schuylkill and Northumberland
counties. After working in a machine shop six months, he learned the
carpenter trade in Ashland and Shenandoah, and has ever since followed
that occupation. Mr. Hinkel has been a resident of Mt. Carmel since
1866, a contractor since 1881, and a member of the firm of Geiger,
Hinkel & Company, since March, 1887. On the 16th of September, 1880, he
married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Henrietta (Mussina) Yarnall, of
Mt. Carmel, and to this union have been born four children: Fremont
Newton; Henrietta; William, and Daniel. In politics Mr. Hinkel is a
Republican, and is serving his second term as overseer of the poor. He
is a member of the I.O.O.F.. K. of M., and P.O.S. of A.

   DOMINICK OATS, contractor and builder, was born in County Roscommon,
Ireland, in 1825, son of Dominick and Jane (Logan) Oats. His father came
to America in 1846 and enlisted in the United States Army for the Mexican
war, but whether he was killed in battle or died of disease was never
known, as nothing was learned of his subsequent history. Our subject was
reared in England, where his mother died. After reaching manhood he
returned to Ireland and learned the carpenter trade with his uncle, and in
1869 immigrated to this State and located at Locust Gap, where he remained
about two years. He then went to Green Ridge, where he spent twelve years,
coming to Mt. Carmel in 1883. He has followed contracting and building
since that time, and has carried on quite a successful business. Mr. Oats
married Catharine Burns, a native of Ireland, and has one daughter, Jane.
The family are members of the Catholic church, and politically Mr. Oats is
a stanch Democrat.

   GEORGE MORSE, architect and carpenter and builder, was born in
Pembrokeshire, South Wales, December 23, 1841, son of Alexander and Jane
(Llewellyn) Morse, natives of the same shire. He grew up in his native
land, learned the carpenter trade, and worked there as master-builder
until the spring of 1882, when he immigrated to Philadelphia. He worked
there one year and then returned to Wales for his family, which he
brought out in October, 1883, and located in Mt. Carmel, where he has
since resided. He has followed his trade up to the present, and since
September, 1887, has been foreman and architect for Bernard Harvey, the
leading contractor and builder of the town. Mr. Morse has been twice
married, first to Margaret Morgan, of Pembrokeshire, June 2, 1862, who
bore him one son, George Arthur. She died, January 4, 1863. He was
again married in April, 1867, to Mrs. Susanna Lewis, nee Thomas, of
Carmarthenshire, South Wales, who had three children by her first
husband: Esther J.; James J., and Henry E. By her marriage to Mr. Morse
the following children have been born: William T.; Alexander; Elizabeth
T.; Charles; Laura; Gertrude; Letitia; Melicent, deceased; Clara S., and
Alfred. The family are adherents of the Methodist church, but
originally belonged to the Church of England. Politically he is a
Republican, and a member of the K. of G.E.  

   RUDOLPH HERB, carpenter, was born near Reading, Pennsylvania, April
17, 1842, son of John and Leah (Reddinger) Herb, natives of Berks
county, Pennsylvania. His father was a farmer and spent his life in
Berks county. Rudolph was reared on the homestead farm, and received his
education in the common schools. He learned the carpenter trade, which
he followed in Berks, Schuylkill, and Northumberland counties seventeen
years. He came to Mt. Carmel in 1871, and in 1881 engaged in the dairy
business, which he conducted until April 1, 1890, when he sold out and
resumed carpentering. Mr. Herb was married, May 20, 1866, to Valeria,
daughter of William and Susan (Shipe) Buck, of Schuylkill county.
Thirteen children have been born of this union, six of whom are living:
Alice, wife of Joseph Keiser; Matilda; Emma; Minnie; James, and Bertha.
The deceased children are as follows: Willie; Valeria; Harry; Kate;
Curtis; Bertha, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Herb is a Republican, and
has served as constable of Mt. Carmel five years, and in the council two
terms. He is a member of the K. of M.

   CHARLES E. STECKER, carpenter, was born in West Branch valley,
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1854. In 1856 he came with
his father to Mt. Carmel, where he was reared and educated in the public
schools. He learned the carpenter trade, but spent many years working in
the mines, where he began as a slate picker, and later worked as schute
boss and in the carpenter shop. Since 1887 he has followed general
carpentering. He married, May 23, 1887, Susan, daughter of Nathaniel
and Harriet Reader, and to this union have been born three children:
Hattie; Mary A., and Florence. Mr. Stecker is a member of the P.O.S. of
A., is a Republican, and has served one term in the borough council.

   PETER F. KELLY, carpenter, was born at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in
1835, son of John and Mary (McGuire) Kelly, natives of County Monaghan,
Ireland, who came to America about 1825, and located in New Jersey. They
removed from there to Harper's Ferry, Virginia, where the father worked on
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. He died about 1839, leaving four children:
James; John; Peter F., and Bernard. Our subject was reared in Cumberland,
Maryland, and removed to St. Clair, Pennsylvania, with his mother and
brothers in 1847, where he worked in the mines up to 1856. He then served
an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, which he followed up to April,
1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for
the three months' service, and was discharged, July 21, 1861. In September
following he enlisted in Company A, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and
served until mustered out at Macon, Georgia, August 23, 1865. He was
promoted in succession from private to corporal, then to quartermaster
sergeant, and was commissioned second lieutenant at Gravelly Spring in the
spring of 1865. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Stone
River, Shelbyville, and Selma, besides many other minor engagements. At
the close of the war Mr. Kelly returned to St. Clair, Schuylkill county,
where he worked at his trade up to 1872, and then removed to Mahanoy City.
In 1879 he came to Mt. Carmel, where he has since been engaged at the
carpenter business in the Reliance colliery. He was married in 1867 to
Mary, daughter of David and Julia Gorman of St. Clair, Pennsylvania, who
is the mother of five living children: John; David; Mary; Peter, and
Alice. The family are adherents of the Catholic church, and in politics
Mr. Kelly is a Republican. He is a member of Burnside post, G.A.R., and
has held the office of junior vice-commander of his post.

   CHARLES H. HOBSON, patentee and manufacturer of Hobson's patent
lamp carriers, was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, September 27,
1845, son of William and Eliza (Hodgson) Hobson, also natives of England.
He grew up in his native land, and there learned the house and sign
painter's trade, which he followed in England until February, 1872; he
then immigrated to Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where
he continued working at his trade. In May, 1881, he came to Mt. Carmel
and soon after established a business for himself which he conducted
until the fall of 1889. Having in the meantime invented a miner's lamp
carrier he obtained a patent for his invention, December 3, 1889, and at
once began their manufacture, which business he has since prosecuted
successfully. It is regarded as one of the best lamp carriers in the
market, and is destined to have an extensive and permanent sale. He has
also obtained patents on two improvements on the original lamp carrier
that renders it still more valuable. He is also the patentee of a
railroad frog-switch which dispenses with the old frog-crossing usually
employed. He is now working on other inventions from which he hopes to
realize good profits in the future. Mr. Hobson was married, November 4,
1873, to Elizabeth Jane, daughter of George and Jane Hodges, of
Minersville, Pennsylvania. Seven children have been born of this union:
Effeldipha J.; Hettie H.; Charles H.; George W.; Elizabeth E.; Johanna
S., deceased, and Stuart J. Politically Mr. Hobson is a stanch
Democrat.

   HUGH M. PHILLIPS, deceased, was a native of England and immigrated
to America when a young man. He located in Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, prior to 1850, and was subsequently married to Caroline
Bickelman, of Pottsville. He worked in collieries at Tuscarora,
Middleport, and New Philadelphia, all in Schuylkill county before coming
from the last named place to Shamokin, where he was boss of one of the
Shamokin collieries until he removed to Mt. Carmel in 1865. He was
outside foreman of the Reliance colliery from the time he located at Mt.
Carmel up to his death in 1889. He was an honest, upright citizen, a
member of the Episcopal church, a Republican, and an Odd Fellow. He was
deeply interested for many years preceding his death in the Building and
Loan Association of Mt. Carmel. His widow, a daughter of Conrad
Bickelman, resides with her son, W. H. Phillips. She belongs to the
Methodist church. Her father was a native of Germany, a wheelwright by
trade, and for many years a resident of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Phillips and Harriet, wife of Nathaniel Reader, of Mt. Carmel, are
the only living children of Mr. Bickelman. He died in Pottsville, but
for a year before his death he had spent the most of his time with his
daughter, Mrs. Phillips. The children of Hugh M. and Caroline Phillips
are: Martin, an engineer; Edward, a blacksmith; W. H, merchant, and
Matilda, wife of Myer Kolb, an auditor of the Reading railroad, living
in Philadelphia.

   W. H. PHILLIPS, hardware merchant, was born in Middleport,
Pennsylvania, July 6, l859, son of Hugh M. and Caroline (Bickelman)
Phillips. He was educated in the public schools, and began his business
life as a slate picker in a breaker. For several years preceding 1879 he
clerked in a store, and in 1889 he was employed to manage a breaker engine
at the Reliance colliery. This he continued until 1899, when he opened a
general hardware store in Mt. Carmel, which he has since conducted with
successful results. He is a member of the P.O.S. of A. and the K. of
M., a Republican, and one of the progressive young business men of the
community.

   CLARK B. ZIMMERMAN, yard foreman for the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, was born in Shamokin township, Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, March 15, 1841, son of Ephraim and Priscilla (Campbell)
Zimmerman. His paternal grandfather, Michael Zimmerman, was a native of
Pennsylvania, of German parentage; he removed to this county, where he
engaged in farming, and died in Shamokin township. His maternal grand-
father, William Campbell, was a native of Scotland, a wheelwright by
trade, and quite an early settler of this county. The father of our
subject was a farmer, and resided in this county up to his death at
Shamokin in 1854. Two children, Clark B. and Diadem C., wife of K. T.
John, are the fruits of this union. Our subject was reared in Shamokin
township, was educated in the common schools and at Williamsport
Academy, and commenced teaching at the age of seventeen, following that
occupation eight years. At the breaking out of the Rebellion in April,
1861, he enlisted in Company A, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserve, and served
three months, when he was discharged from the service and returned to
Shamokin. He re-enlisted in the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, in
which he served two years and eight months, and was again discharged.
He then enlisted as a veteran in Deckerd, Tennessee, and served until
August, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service, and the same year
located in Mt. Carmel. He clerked in the store of S. A. Bergstresser a
short time, and then engaged in mining. In 1883 he was appointed
assistant inside foreman at Mt. Carmel colliery, which position he held
one year. In May, 1884, he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company as car inspector, and was appointed to his present
position in October, 1888. Mr. Zimmerman was married, January 21, 1866,
to Sally A., daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Keiser) Hoover, of this
county. Two children have been born to them: Lorenzo B. and William H.
In politics he is a Republican, has served as chief burgess of Mt.
Carmel one term, and filled the unexpired term of J. B. Reed as justice
of the peace. He is a member of the F. & A.M.. G.A.R., K. of M., and
P.O.S. of A.

   WILLIAM T. BURKERT, car inspector, was born in Minersville, Schuylkill
county, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1848, son of Thomas and Mary (Koch
Burkert, both natives of Pennsylvania, and descended from two of the
oldest families of the State. They located in Mt. Carmel in March, 1865,
where his father leased the Mt. Carmel House and operated it three years.
They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: Sarah;
Caroline; Mary Jane; William T.; Emma, and Oliver C. The father died in
Mt. Carmel and the mother lives in Shamokin. Our subject was seventeen
years of age when he removed with his parents to Mt. Carmel. He learned
the blacksmith trade in Ashland and followed that business for many years.
He traveled in the western States, working at his trade, and returned to
Mt. Carmel in September, 1884. For the past five years he has been
employed as car inspector for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr.
Burkert was married, December 22, 1872, to Susannah, daughter of Abraham
and Sarah (Simerson) Lerch, of Mt. Carmel. Politically he is a Republican;
he was elected burgess of Mt. Carmel in February, 1889, and served one
term. He is a member of the K. of M.

   JOSEPH S. RAMSEY was born at Cornwall Furnace, Lebanon county,
Pennsylvania, April 13, 1822, son of Daniel and Nancy Ramsey. He was
reared in Lebanon and Berks counties, received his education at the
academy of Womelsdorf, and began life as a country school teacher, which
vocation he followed twelve years in Schuylkill and Northumberland
counties; he also taught a select school at Mt. Carmel, where he located
in l858, for two terms. He had charge of breakers in the vicinity of Mt.
Carmel and Shamokin, and for two years had sole control of the Lancaster
colliery breaker near Shamokin. In 1866 he was elected justice of the
peace in Mt. Carmel, which office he filled to the satisfaction of the
people for a term of five years. In 1841 he married Sarah, daughter of
Henry and Martha Houser, of Lebanon county. They are the parents of ten
children, seven of whom are living Cyrus; Rufus; Lydia, Mrs. William
Ewing; Daniel; Samuel; Catharine, Mrs. Abram Markle, and Clara, Mrs.
Richard Jones. In politics Mr. Ramsey is a Republican.

   JOHN KULICK, hotel keeper, was born in the Province of Posen,
Prussia, February 20, 1845, and is a son of John and Mary Kulick. He
was reared in his native country and came to America in 1867, settling
in Mt. Carmel, where he worked in the Mt. Carmel colliery for over
sixteen years. He then embarked in the hotel business, which he has
since continued with success. He erected his present brick hotel in the
spring of 1889. Mr. Kulick was married, May 30, 1866, to Cassie Dix, a
native of Prussia, and to this union have been born eleven children,
eight of whom are living: Rosa; John; Mary; Anna; Maggie; Josie; Frank,
and Florence. The deceased are: Peter; Anthony, and Katie. Mr. Kulick
is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church, the Kosciusko Guards, of
which he is general, and St. Joseph's Society. He is one of the
representative Polish citizens of Northumberland county, and in politics
is a Republican.

   ENOCH LUBESKI, proprietor of the Kosciusko Hotel, was born in the
Province of Posen, Prussia, in February, l853, and is a son of Michael
and Anna Lubeski. He came to America in May, 1872, and settled in Mt.
Carmel, where he worked in the mines thirteen years. He was also
engaged in the grocery trade three years, and in 1886 embarked in the
hotel business near Lehigh Valley depot, which, with the exception of one
year, he has since continued. In July, 1890, he erected the new addition
to his hotel. He was married, October 4, 1874, to Rosa, a daughter of
Lawrence Kornaski, of Mt. Carmel, and has the following children: Enoch;
Walter; John; Bronie; Frank, and Martha. Mr. Lubeski is one of the popular
Polish citizens of Mt. Carmel, is a Republican, a member of St. Joseph's
Catholic church, and St. Stanislaus and Kosciusko societies.

   BEN WIRT, proprietor of the Valley House, was born in Jordan township,
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, on June 29, 1848, son of John and
Judith (Wentzel) Wirt. His paternal grandfather, John Wirt, was a native
of Dauphin county and an early settler of Jordan township, where he
engaged in farming and spent the remaining years of his life. His children
were as follows: John Lydia A., who married David Campbell; Ann, who
became the wife of Frederick Snyder; Kate, who married Jacob German;
Elizabeth, second wife of David Campbell; Moses; Michael; Daniel, and
Mary, who married Martin Horns. His maternal grandfather, Christopher
Wentzel, was a farmer of Jordan township and a veteran of the war of 1812.
The father of our subject, John Wirt, is a farmer and miller by
occupation, and is living in Jordan township, this county, where he was
born and reared and has always resided. His family consists of four sons:
Ben; William; Daniel, and Michael. Our subject was reared in his native
township and learned the milling trade in his father's mill, which he
followed seventeen years, the first ten years in the old mill and the
remaining seven years at Millersburg, Dauphin county. He then returned to
Jordan township and engaged in buying cattle two years, thence removing to
Herndon, where he kept hotel one year. In February, 1885, he removed to
Mt. Carmel and has since been the successful landlord of the Valley House,
which he purchased in October, 1888. Mr. Wirt was married. April 30, 1871,
to Mary Malinda, daughter of Isaac L. and Anna (Bubb) Witmer, of Lower
Mahanoy township, Northumberland county. Five children have been born to
them: Moses, deceased; Alice; Charles Edgar; George, deceased, and Cyrus
Webster, deceased. The family are adherents of the Reformed church; Mr.
Wirt is a member of the F. & A.M. and K. of M., and in politics is a
Democrat.

   JAMES HARRIS, proprietor of the Harris Hotel, corner of Second and
Market streets, was born in South Wales, October 10, 1838, son of John
and Elizabeth (Banner) Harris. He was educated in his native country,
and in June 1865, immigrated to America, locating at Frostburg,
Maryland. In 1869 he removed to Mt. Carmel where he was engaged in
mining until 1887. During this period he was inside foreman at Hickory
Ridge and Garfield collieries five years; he also opened the latter and
put it in good working order, and entered his present business in
January, 1887. March 6, 1858, he married Mary, daughter of Samuel and
Mary Thomas, natives of Wales. They are the parents of nine children:
William; John; George; Lydia; Thomas; Eliza; Frederick; Helena and
Elizabeth. In politics Mr. Harris was born a Republican, and still holds
the fort.

   J. B. YOUNG, proprietor of the National Hotel, was born in Pottsville,
Pennsylvania, June 10, 1857, a son of John and Mary Young, natives of
Germany, who came to America about the year 1850 and located in Schuylkill
county, Pennsylvania. The subject of our sketch was reared and educated in
his native county, and began life for himself in the mines as breaker and
slate picket At the age of sixteen he entered a general store as clerk at
Locust Dale, Pennsylvania, where he was employed twelve years. In 1882 he
located at Ashland, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a store one year; in
1883 he removed to Mt. Carmel and embarked in the general merchandise
business, which he conducted successfully until October, and for two years
was also the proprietor of one of the leading drug stores of the place. In
the fall of 1888 he purchased the National Hotel property, of which he has
been proprietor since February 20, 1889, and has built up a successful
business. In 1882 Mr. Young was married to Ella M., daughter of Patrick
and Mary (Horn) Carey, of Ashland, Pennsylvania, and has three children
living: Joseph; Ella, and Frank. Mr. Young is one of the live and
enterprising business men of Mt. Carmel, is a member of the Catholic
church, and in politics a Democrat.

   DANIEL F. GALLAGHER, was born at Big Mine Run, Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, April 7,1861, and is a son of Anthony and Nancy
(McManiman) Gallagher, natives of County Donegal, Ireland, who came to
America in 1847 and settled in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where
his father engaged in mining. In 1864 the family removed to Mt. Carmel,
where Anthony worked as a miner until within a short time of his death,
which occurred, February 22, 1883. He had the reputation of being one
of the most practical miners in the anthracite coal regions. His
children were seven, of whom three survive: Daniel F.; Mary, Mrs. M. J.
Carroll, and Anthony. Our subject was reared in Mt. Carmel and educated
in the public schools of that vicinity. He began working at the age of
eight years in a breaker in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. He worked in
the mines at Mt. Carmel from 1870 to 1886, and subsequently kept the
Washington Hotel at that place one year. He was active in labor circles
from boyhood, and held various positions of trust in labor
organizations. In January, 1888, he was appointed deputy sheriff under
Jacob Kremer, but resigned four months later to engage in the gents'
furnishing business in Mt. Carmel, which he carried on a year and a
half. In May, 1888, he was nominated by the Labor Union Party for the
House of Representatives, which nomination was endorsed by the
Republican party, and he was elected in the fall of 1888 for a term of
two years. He was the father of the Anthracite Miners' Examining bill,
which became a law. January 27, 1884, he was married to Fannie, a
daughter of Michael and Mary (Dougherty) McCauley, of County Donegal,
Ireland, and has three children: Anthony; Daniel, and Patrick. Mr.
Gallagher is a member of the Catholic church, the Father O'Reilly
L.S.A.O. of H., and K. of L. He is a Republican in politics, and a
young man of much enterprise and public spirit.

   DANIEL F. HARTLINE, restaurant proprietor, was born at Pottsville,
Pennsylvania, September 9, 1842, son of John and Catharine (Mowry)
Hartline. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Hartline, and his maternal
grandfather, Daniel Mowry, were natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania,
and farmers by occupation. The father of our subject was a farmer who
resided near Pottsville for many years and died in that vicinity.
Daniel was reared near Pottsville, where he received a common school
education and served a twenty months' apprenticeship at the machinist
trade. He enlisted at Pottsville, August 22, 1861, in Company A,
Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He received four wounds at
Spottsylvania Court House, where he was captured and taken to Libby
prison. He was transferred to Lynchburg and Salisbury, North Carolina,
and after suffering one hundred six days' confinement he at last reached
Annapolis, Maryland, and was discharged at Philadelphia, October
21,1864. He located at Mt. Carmel in 1865, where he worked at his trade
a few months, followed railroading eight months, as conductor on the
Northern Central railway, after which he was station engineer twenty
years, and then embarked in his present business. Mr. Hartline married
Caroline, daughter of Owen J. and Catharine (Heffner) Owen, of Coal
township, this county, by whom he has four children: William; Kate;
Thomas, and Guy. The family is connected with the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Hartline is a Republican in politics, and has served as school
director and tax collector.

   WILLIAM H. STECKER, restaurant proprietor, was born in Cressona,
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, February 21, 1855, and is a son of
Amelins F. and Mary A. (Beck) Stecker, who settled in Mt. Carmel in
1856. He was reared and educated in Mt. Carmel, and was left an orphan
at the age of fourteen, when he began life for himself by working in a
breaker, at which he was employed for several years, afterwards working
for twelve years as a miner. In the spring of 1881 he was elected chief
burgess of Mt. Carmel, and re-elected the following year. In 1879 he
was elected to the council and served two years. In 1885 he entered the
employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as a car inspector at Mt.
Carmel, which position he filled satisfactorily three years. He opened
a restaurant in Mt. Carmel in February, 1889, and has built up a good
business. He was married in 1884 to Christiana, daughter of Levi and
Sarah (Hawes) Werntz, of Mt. Carmel. To this union have been born two
children: Lela, deceased, and an infant. Mr. Stecker is an enterprising
citizen, a member of the P.O.S. of A., and politically is a stanch
Republican.

   W. C. JAMES, proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, was born in Pottsville,
Pennsylvania, November 16,1849, and is a son of John H. and Charlotte
(Cooper) James, natives of Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey,
respectively. They settled in Mt. Carmel in 1856, where the father carried
on business as a carpenter and contractor up to 1859; during that time he
was elected a justice of the peace, and was also the Republican nominee
for member of the legislature, but was defeated. He removed to Pottsville
in 1859, and died there in 1862. He had a family of twelve children, all
but one of whom grew to maturity: Sarah, Mrs. Joel Moore; Jesse M.; Thomas
H., who was a member of the First New York Lincoln Cavalry and was killed
in action near Alexandria, Virginia, in 1864; David E.; Charles M., who
was a member of the Eighth Illinois Infantry and was killed at the battle
of Shitch; Annie M., Mrs. A. B. Martin; Harrison, who was a member of the
Eighth Kentucky Cavalry, Confederate Army; George W., who was a member of
Company E, Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was wounded at
Spottsylvania, in May, 1864, and at Petersburg, Virginia, in April, 1865;
Emily I., Mrs. George Fox; Eliza, and W. C. Our subject was reared in Mt.
Carmel from ten years of age. In January, 1864, he enlisted in Company F,
Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and on the 12th of May, 1864, was
wounded in the right arm at the battle of Spottsylvania. He was shot
through the right lung at Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, 1865, and was
honorably discharged from service in November of that year. After the war
he was engaged as a clerk in the hardware store of S. A. Bergstresser, of
Mt. Carmel, with whom he remained six years, after which he engaged as
clerk with the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company at Alaska,
serving in that capacity nine years. In 1880 he was appointed United
States postal clerk, between Mt. Carmel and Penn Haven junction, and
after five years' service on that route, he was transferred to the route
between Harrisburg and Lock Haven, where he remained two years. In 1886
he embarked in the hotel business at Mt. Carmel, in which he has since
continued. In 1888 he erected the building he now occupies, which was
opened to the public in April, 1889. Mr. James is one of the charter
members of Burnside Post, No. 92, G.A.R., of Mt. Carmel, also a charter
member of Camp No. 116, P.O.S. of A., a charter member of the K. of M.,
and a member of Ivanhoe Conclave. No. 9, S.P.K. Politically he is a
stanch Republican, and has always taken an active interest in the
success of his party.

   PETER F. OMLOR, proprietor of the Kozyjesko Hotel, was born in Crow
Hollow, near St. Clair, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, October 17,
1859, son of Frank and Josephine (Beierschmitt} Omlor, both natives of
Germany. His paternal grandfather was John Omlor and maternal grandfather,
Michael Beierschmitt, both natives of Germany, and for many years
residents of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Frank Omlor, father of our
subject, settled at Locust Gap, this county, in 1870. He was
superintendent of the Monitor colliery of that place sixteen years, and
died there, February 21, 1888. Prior to removing to Locust Gap, he held
the position of mine foreman at St. Clair for several years. He had seven
children: Henry J.; Peter F.; Charles N.; Frank J.; Lizzie, Mrs. John
Meagher; Mary, and Josephine. By his second wife, Lizzie Reichwein, there
are two children living: Joseph and Aloysius. The subject of our sketch
was reared in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties; he received a common
school education and a course of instruction at the Pottsville Business
College. He worked in the mines for several years at St. Clair and
Locust Gap, was a shipping clerk for eleven years, and outside foreman
at the Black Diamond colliery one year. He has been engaged in his
present business since August 19, 1889. Mr. Omlor married, May 23,1883,
Lena, daughter of Ferdinand and Mollie (Smeltzer) Tretter, of Shamokin,
and has four children: Lizzie; Josephine; Ferdinand, and Franklin P. He
is a member of the Catholic church, and politically a Democrat.

   THOMAS RONEY, miner and proprietor of restaurant, was born at
Beaver Meadows, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1838, son of
Ferdinand and Eleanor (Kelly) Roney, natives of the counties of West
Meath and Kilkenny, Ireland, respectively. His father immigrated to
Canada about 1834, and there married Eleanor Kelly, and in 1837 located
in Carbon county, Pennsylvania. He was one of the first coal inspectors
of that county, also one of the pioneer operators in that section of the
State. He died there in 1857, and his widow in 1859. They were the
parents of three children: Thomas; Mary, deceased, and John. Our
subject was reared in his native county, and received a common school
education. He began working in the mines as door-tender, and has been
connected with the mining interests of the anthracite region nearly
forty years. He located in Mt. Carmel in 1861, where he was employed in
the mines up to 1889. He then embarked in the restaurant business, and
has also recently returned to his previous occupation. Mr. Roney
married Catharine, daughter of John and Eve (McQuade) Blackwell, of
Carbon county, by whom he has had ten children, seven of whom survive:
Thomas B.; Eve E.; Catharine; Margaret; Ferdinand; Sarah, and John. In
politics he is a Democrat, and has been a member of the council of Mt.
Carmel two terms. In 1885 he was a member of the committee appointed to
revise the mining laws of the anthracite region. The whole family are
members of the Catholic church.

   SAMUEL DEITRICH, liquor dealer and bottler, was born in Llewellyn,
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1854, son of George and Hannah
(Oister) Deitrich, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Mt. Carmel in
1870, where they now reside. Our subject was reared in Schuylkill and
Northumberland counties, and received a common school education. At the
age of nine years he commenced working in a breaker at the mines, and
subsequently followed mining for eighteen years. In the spring of 1889 he
embarked in his present business in Mt. Carmel, which he has continued up
to the present. He was married, April 8, 1876, to Margaret Manney, of Mt.
Carmel, who has borne him five children Mary; Idella I.; Maud; George, and
Ada. Mr. Deitrich is a stalwart Republican, has served one year as
constable of the borough, and three terms in the council. He was one of
the original members of the fire department, and has always taken an
active interest in its prosperity.

   WILLIAM F. KING was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, April 25, 1854,
son of Thomas and Jane (Mitchell) King, natives of St. Austle, Cornwall,
England. The latter died in Ireland and the former still resides there.
Our subject grew up and received his education in Ireland, and in the fall
of 1870 came to Shamokin, where he engaged in mining. In 1878 he located
at Mt. Carmel and followed mining until 1882, when he was elected
constable, and has filled that position continuously up to the present. He
also served as mercantile appraiser of the county in 1889. Politically he
is a stalwart Republican, and is one of the original members of the Mt.
Carmel fire department. Mr. King was married, July 25, 1880, to Ella,
daughter of Henry and Emma Werntz, of Mt. Carmel. Four children have been
born to them: Edith; Emma and Ella, twins, the former deceased, and
Harriet.

   DANIEL McCAULEY, wholesale agent for Yeungling & Son, was born in
County Londonderry, Ireland, in 1857, and is a son of Michael and Mary
(Dougherty) McCauley. He came to America in 1861, first locating at
Hazelton, Pennsylvania. At an early age he began work in the mines, and
followed mining as an occupation in different parts of the coal regions
up to 1880, when he was badly injured in a fall of coal and was laid up
for a year. He then embarked in the hotel business in Mt. Carmel,
conducting the Washington House five years, and has been in his present
business for several years. He has been a resident of Mt. Carmel since
1874. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas Monroe, of Ashland,
Pennsylvania. Mr. McCauley is a member of the Catholic church, and in
politics is an independent voter.

   JOHN CARL, superintendent of collieries, Philadelphia and Reading
Coal and Iron Company, was born in Prussia, October 2, 1835, son of
Henry and Catharine (Kline) Carl, who emigrated to America in 1853, and
settled at St. Clair, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. There the father
pursued the occupation of weaver (although a farmer in Germany) until
1881, when he removed to Shenandoah, where he now resides at the
advanced age of eighty-four. Seven children were born to Henry and
Catharine Carl: Philopena, Mrs. Peter Bauer; John; Frederick; Anna, Mrs.
Adam Bonnesbough; Conrad; Peter, and Henry. John Carl was reared and
educated in his native country, and came to America with his parents in
1853. He began work in the mines, continuing at that until the breaking
out of the war, when he enlisted (April 27, 1861) in Company A, Ninth
Pennsylvania Volunteers. In the following August he entered the Seventh
Pennsylvania Cavalry and served until the close of the war, experiencing
the hardships of a protracted military service. He then returned to
Schuylkill county and was employed as a miner from 1865 to 1867. In the
latter year he became colliery superintendent; three years later he was
sent by the company to Berks county to take charge of ore mines, remaining
there seven months. The following seven years he was superintendent of a
colliery in Schuylkill county, and was then appointed to his present
position with seven collieries under his supervision. In March, 1879, he
took up his residence at Mt. Carmel, where he has been a member of the
local school board. September 26, 1865, he married Elizabeth, daughter of
Leonard and Lena (Best) Kline, of Bavaria, Germany, by whom he has eight
children: John; Peter; Mary; Joseph; Lizzie; Millie; George, and Alice.
Mr. Carl is a Republican in politics; he is connected with the Lutheran
church, the F. & A.M., I.O.O.F., and G.A.R.

   JOHN STINE, inside foreman at Reliance colliery, was born in Eldred
township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1831, son of George
and Catharine (Eisenhart) Stine. His paternal grandfather, Anthony
Stine, was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, a pioneer of Berks county,
Pennsylvania, and later a resident of Schuylkill county. He died in what
is now Eldred township, and was a farmer and weaver by occupation. He
was the father of five children, two of whom were sons: George and
David. The former was a farmer and weaver and lived in Schuylkill
county many years, dying in Eldred township. He had a family of seven
sons and one daughter: Joseph, Jonas L., and Levi, all of whom are dead;
William; Elias, deceased; John; Daniel, deceased, and Caroline, who
married Elias Yoder. The maternal grandfather of John Stine was John
Eisenhart, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and an early settler
of Washington township, Northumberland county. Our subject was reared
in his native county, received a limited education in the common
schools, and began working in the mines at the age of nineteen. In 1859
he removed to Mt. Carmel, and in 1868 was appointed inside foreman at
the Reliance colliery, which position he has since occupied. Mr. Stine
was married, November 19, 1855, to Amanda, daughter of Samuel and
Elizabeth (Hoffman) Fisher, of Branch township, Schuylkill county, who
has borne him fifteen children, ten of whom are living: Elizabeth, wife
of Robert Camp; William F.; Ira H, deceased; Joseph T.; George W.; David
E.; Alfred, deceased; Caroline M.; Sarah J.; John F., deceased; Miriam,
deceased; Charles W.; Howard F.; Millard L., deceased, and Edmund J. The
family are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr.
Stine has served as trustee He is a member of the F. & A.M. and
I.O.O.F., a Republican in politics, and has been connected with the
local civil administration in various official capacities.

   JOHN KLINE, assistant inside foreman at Reliance colliery, was born
in Bavaria, Germany, near the river Rhine, July 24, 1834, son of Leonard
and Mary M. (Baest) Kline. He was reared in his native country and
served two years at the baker's trade, at which he worked four years. He
came to America in 1852, located in St. Clair, Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, and engaged in mining. He worked in the mines at that
place up to 1880, when he removed to Mt. Carmel; he has since been
employed at the Reliance colliery, with the exception of one year, and
has held his present position eight years. Mr. Kline was married,
October 6, 1862, to Elizabeth, daughter of George and Catharine (Bosche)
Young, of St. Clair, and formerly of Germany. They are the parents of
eight children: Mary; George; John; Joseph; Lizzie; Henry; William, and
Christian. Mr. Kline served three months in Company F, Sixth
Pennsylvania Volunteers, the first company to leave Pottsville for the
front. He was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of
service, and re-enlisted, but on account of disability was again
discharged before joining the regiment. Politically he is a Democrat
and the whole family are adherents of the Catholic church.

   WILLIAM CAMP, outside foreman, Reliance colliery, was born in the
town of Barey, Michigan, November 25, 1855, son of Abraham and Olive
(Norwood) Camp. His father is a native of this State and has resided at
Mt. Carmel thirty-four years. He is a carpenter by trade and the father
of nine children, five of whom are living: William; Frank; Edward; Mary,
Mrs. Albert Jefferson, and Lydia. William Camp received his education in
the public schools at Mt. Carmel. He learned the carpenter trade, which
he followed eighteen years. He has held his present position since 1889.
January 19, 1882, he married Josephine, daughter of David J. and Amanda
(Hill) Lewis. They are the parents of four children: Helen; Bertha;
Stewart, and Walter. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and Mr. Camp is a Republican in politics.

   THOMAS MORTON, miner, was born in Renfrewehire, Scotland, June 29,
1830, and is a son of James and Agnes (Connell) Morton. He removed with
his mother to America in 1846, located at Brockville, Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania, and worked in the mines until 1853, three years of that
time in Tamaqua. Catching the gold fever, he went to California in 1853,
and was engaged in mining there until 1860, returning to Schuylkill
county in November of that year. In September, 1861, he enlisted in
Company H, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, as second lieutenant,
was promoted to first lieutenant at Antietam in September, 1862, and to
the captaincy in April, 1863. He was mustered out of service, June 10,
1863, on account of wounds received in the left leg above the knee at
Chancellorsville, and was a participant in all the battles of the Army
of the Potomac from Fair Oaks to Chancellorsville. On his return he was
for a short time located in Columbia county, and later removed to Carbon
county, where he held the position of mine foreman from 1864 to 1866. In
June, 1866, he settled at Mt. Carmel, where he has since resided. For a
time he held the position of mine foreman and for several years operated
on his own account, and has been connected with the mines in various
capacities, contracting and otherwise, since his removal to Mt. Carmel. In
1864 he married Jeannette, daughter of John and Jane (Young) Paterick, of
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and has four children: Jean L.; Agnes C.;
Margaret J., and John R. Mr. Morton is a member of F. & A.M., I.O.O.F.,
and G.A.R. He served one term of three years as councilman of Mt. Carmel.
Politically he is a Republican.

   MORGAN DAVIS, outside foreman at Mt. Carmel colliery, was born in
Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1836, son of
Reese and Mary (Williams) Davis, natives of South Wales, who came to
America in 1829 and settled in Minersville. His father followed mining
for a time, and was subsequently superintendent of mines fifteen years.
He was a resident of Mt. Carmel eleven years, coming here in 1853, and
sunk the first slope in the county. He removed to Centralia in 1864,
where he filled the position of inspector for the Lehigh Valley Coal
Company until his death in January, 1870. He was the father of eight
children: Sarah, who married M. Watkins; Rachel, who married John Lewis;
Morgan; Mary, who married William Davis; Isaac; Reese, deceased; Reese
(2d), and Elizabeth, deceased. Our subject was reared in Schuylkill and
Northumberland counties, received a common school education, and has
been engaged in the mines since early boyhood. He was for many years an
engineer, and has held his present position since 1868. In August,
1861, he enlisted in Company I, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, was
promoted to first corporal, and served under Generals Buell, Rosecrans,
and Sherman. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Stone River twice,
but escaped both times. He served three years and two months, and was
honorably discharged from the service. Mr. Davis was married, September
7, 1861, to Deborah, daughter of John and Ann (George) Plyer, of South
Wales. They are the parents of five living children: Mary A.; Morgan;
Reese A.; Deborah, and Lillian. The family are adherents of the
Congregational church. Politically Mr. Davis is a Republican, and is a
member of the G.A.R. and the Masonic fraternity.

   CALVIN D. WRIGHT, clerk at Mt. Carmel colliery, was born in
Springfield, Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1844, son of Robert
and Margaret (Mortimer) Wright. His paternal grandfather, Hugh A. Wright,
was a son of John Wright, a native of Cornwall, England, and a pioneer
mechanic of Chester county, Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather,
William Mortimer, was a miner of Schuylkill county and a son of William
Mortimer, of English and Scotch descent. Robert Wright, father of Calvin
D., was a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, a millwright by trade,
and lived and died in his native county. Our subject was reared in Chester
county, and received a common school education. On the 10th of August,
1861, he enlisted in Company L, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served
three years and two months, when he was honorably discharged from the
service. He served in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac during
his term of service, and was wounded at Kelly's Ford and Gettysburg. After
the war he located in Schuylkill county, and was clerk in collieries at
Donaldson, William Penn, and Shenandoah, and was subsequently employed as
brakeman, baggageman, and conductor, successively, on the railroad. In
August 1871, he located in Mt. Carmel, and entered the employ of Thomas
Baumgardner & Company, of the Reliance colliery, with whom he served as
clerk nine years and a half. He then accepted his present position with
T. M. Righter & Company, which he has filed in a satisfactory manner
ever since. Mr. Wright was married in March, 1866, to Kate, daughter of
John and Henrietta (Potts) Gartly of Pottsville, Pennsylvania Six
children are the fruits of this union: Margie, wife of C. C. Boyer;
Robert; Harry; Calvin, Jr.; Maud, and Gartly W. Mr. Wright is a member
of the F. & A.M., G.A.R., and K. of M., and in politics he is a
Republican.

   CONRAD HEISER, engineer and carpenter at Mt. Carmel colliery, was
born at Janesville, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1858, son of
Charles and Barbara (Lingelbach) Heiser. His parents were natives of
Germany, came to America in the '50's, and located in Luzerne county,
where his father worked in the mines until his death. Conrad Heiser was
reared and educated in his native county, where he began life by working
about the mines. Later he served an apprenticeship of three years at the
carpenter trade. Since 1880 he has been employed about the Mt. Carmel
colliery as carpenter and engineer. He married in 1881, Amelia,
daughter of Henry and Margaret (Dell) Knopp, by whom he has two
children: Edward and Charles.  The family are Lutherans in faith; Mr.
Heiser is a member of the P.O. S. of A and in politics a Republican.

   JOHN H. REILLY, late inside foreman at Mt. Carmel colliery, was
born in Cass township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 4,
1853, son of Terence and Ann (McManus) Reilly, natives of County Cavan,
Ireland. They came to America in 1851 and settled in Cass township,
Schuylkill county, where they are still residing. They are the parents
of four children: John H.; Francis; James B., and Mary, wife of William
Reilly. Our subject was reared in Schuylkill county, and at the age of
seven years commenced working in the mines. He followed the life of a
miner up to 1881, when he embarked in the coal trade at Forestville,
where he carried on business one year. He was subsequently foreman for
Harrison & Company one year, and afterwards employed about the mines of
that section until his removal to Mt. Carmel in 1886. He then became
inside foreman at Mt. Carmel colliery, which position he held until his
removal to Tennessee in 1890. Mr. Reilly was married in December, 1878,
to Mary A., daughter of Francis and Ann McCabe, of Schuylkill county, but
formerly of Ireland. Five children are the fruits of this union: Annie C.;
Kate F.; Mamie; Ella, and Cittia. Politically he is a Democrat, and the
family are adherents of the Catholic church.

   BENJAMIN H. WILLIAMS, miner, was born at Carbondale, Pennsylvania,
July 19, 1833, son of David and Sarah Williams. His father was a native
of South Wales, and came to America in 1829. He first located at
Carbondale, where he remained some time, filling the position of foreman
for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. In 1836 he removed to
Pottsville, Schuylkill county; after remaining there for some time he
removed to Summit Hill, Carbon county, where he operated a mine known as
Spring Tunnel five years. At the expiration of this time he accepted the
position of general agent for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company,
which he filled until his death, November 6, 1848. The subject of our
sketch was reared in his native State and received his education in the
common schools. In 1852 he went to California, where he remained five
years, engaged in mining, after which he returned to Pennsylvania for
one year, and again went to California in 1858, where he made his home
until 1874. He then returned to Pennsylvania and located at Mt. Carmel,
where he has since resided, engaged in coal mining. Mr. Williams is a
Republican.

   JOSEPH BEIERSCHMITT, inside foreman of Merriam colliery, was born
at Wartenburg, Germany, May 7, 1843, son of Michael and Catherine
(Herman) Beierschmitt, who came to this country in 1846. They first
located at Pottsville, Schuylkill county; three months later they
removed to St. Clair, where the father was employed in the mines until
his death in 1864. His first wife died in Germany; his children by her
are: Mary, Mrs. Matthias Kline, and Peter, who was killed in a mine at
St. Clair. Those by his second wife are: Katherine Rosa; Josephine;
Joseph; John; Lizzie; Lena, and Margaret. The subject of this sketch was
reared at St. Clair, where he began work in the breaker at the age of
eight years, and when thirteen years old began work in the mines, at
which he continued fourteen years. In 1870 he located at Locust Gap,
this county, where he was assistant foreman at the mine two years. He
was then appointed inside foreman of the Monitor colliery, which
position he held seventeen years. In 1889 he was appointed to the same
position in the Merriam colliery, and removed to Mt. Carmel. He was
married, May 19, 1868, to Mary, daughter of Frank and Magdalena Frey, of
St. Clair, a native of Germany. They are the parents of eight children:
Lizzie; Mary; Frank; Josephine; Joseph; John; Henry, and Albert. The
family are adherents of the Catholic faith, and in politics Mr.
Beierschmitt is a Democrat.

   THOMAS J. WOODSIDE, outside foreman of the Merriam colliery, was born
in Upper Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1829,
a son of Thomas and Mary (Yarger) Woodside. His paternal grandfather, John
Woodside, was of Irish descent; he was reared on a farm in Dauphin county,
in which his father was one of the first settlers. His maternal
grandfather was also reared in Dauphin county, of German descent and was a
farmer. The father of our subject was also a farmer, and lived and died in
Dauphin county. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native
county, where he received a limited education, and before attaining his
majority, had served an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, which he
followed until 1854. He then located at Lykenstown, and had charge of the
carpenter work in the collieries of that place three years, after which he
entered the employ of the Lykens Valley Railroad Company, with which he
remained until the fall of 1862. In November of that year he enlisted in
Company K, One Hundred and Seventy-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was
honorably discharged from the service in August, 1863. The following year
he built a forge and iron works at Oakdale; in September, 1864, he located
at Shamokin, where he held various responsible positions in the collieries
until 1869. He then removed to Locust Gap, being employed about the mines
in various capacities for the period of eight years. In 1876 he located at
Mt. Carmel, and has held his present position nine years. Mr. Woodside
married in October, 1859, Kate, daughter of James L. Pell, late of
Locust Gap, and has four children: William W.; Josephine, Mrs. Charles
Strauss; Mary, Mrs. Robert Benning, and Edith. Mr. Woodside is a member
of the F. & A.M., I.O.O.F., and G.A.R., and politically is a Democrat

   MATTHEW P. WARD, engineer, son of James and Margaret (Coleman)
Ward, was born in Staffordshire, England, March 16, 1838. He was reared
in his native country, where he served a twelve years' apprenticeship as
mechanical engineer. He came to America in 1861, locating in
Philadelphia, and for over a year was in the employ of Simons & Jenkins,
government contractors. In 1862 he located at Ashland, Schuylkill
county, Pennsylvania, and for three months was engineer for Bast &
Pearson, at Big Mine Run. In the fall of the same year he enlisted in
Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and
served nine months, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to
Ashland, he again entered the employ of Bast & Pearson, with whom he
remained until 1865. He then settled at Mt. Carmel, where he has since
resided, and has been employed as engineer in and outside of the
principal collieries of the place. Mr. Ward is the patentee of several
of his inventions, and is the inventor, patentee, and manufacturer of
the Miners' Safety Tube, to prevent miners from being burned with
powder. He is also the inventor of a square and spirit level for truing
engines, and a pulley for carrying wire ropes. In 1860 Mr. Ward married
Margaret George, a daughter of Edward George, of North Wales. He is a
member of the Episcopal church, in politics a Republican and a member of
the G.A.R.

   SAMUEL OWEN, outside foreman of Black Diamond colliery, was born in
Staffordshire, England, May 25,1854, and is a son of William and Emma A.
(Cooper) Owen, who came to America in 1856 and settled in Trevorton, this
county, where the father engaged in mining four years. He then removed to
Shamokin, where he resided until his death in 1879. The last seven years
of his life he was inside foreman of Helfenstein colliery, and seventeen
years prior to his coming to America be was inside foreman of a colliery
in England. His family consisted of fifteen children; seven of whom grew
to maturity: Thomas, a minister of the Methodist church; Sarah, Mrs.
Joseph Taylor; Richard, paymaster of the Piedmont Air Line railroad, West
Point, Virginia; William, assistant principal of the public schools of
Shamokin; John, shipping clerk of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and
Iron Company; Job, a machinist of Shamokin, and Samuel. The subject of our
sketch was reared and educated in Northumberland county, and began life in
the breakers at Trevorton when nine years of age. He worked as a miner
until 1879, when he was appointed assistant outside foreman, which
position he has filled to the present time. Mr. Owen has been twice
married; his first wife was Ella Willson, of Shamokin, the second, Anna
L., daughter of William Salter, of Shamokin. By the latter he has three
daughters living: Minnie B.; Hazel S., and Emma A. He is a member of the
Methodist church, has served three terms as member of the borough council
of Shamokin, and in politics is a Republican.

   JOSEPH SCHWARTZ, miner, was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 25, 1845, a
son of John and Mary Schwartz, who came to America in 1851, locating in
Philadelphia, and residing there until 1854, when both parents died of
cholera. The subject of this sketch was reared in Philadelphia, where he
learned the shoemaker trade. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Company I,
Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry. After two years' service he re-enlisted,
February 26, 1864, in Company L, Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was
honorably discharged, August 7, 1865. After his return from the army, he
worked at his trade at St. Clair, Pennsylvania, six months, and later at
Tremont. In 1868 he located at Excelsior, near Shamokin, and worked at
mining three years, and in 1871 located at Mt. Carmel, where he has been
employed in the mines ever since. In 1867 he married Mary, daughter of
John Harner, of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and has six children
living: John; Emma; Clara; Sallie; Ida, and George. Mr. Schwartz is a
member of the G.A.R., and was the commander of Burnside Post, G.A.R., No.
92, in 1888. Politically he is a Republican.

   CHARLES WIGHTMAN, miner, was born in Derbyshire, England, April 3,
1829, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Booth) Wightman. He was reared
in England; in May, 1854, he came to America and located at Pottsville,
Pennsylvania, where he engaged in mining two years, after which he
removed to La Salle, Illinois, worked at mining two years, and declared
his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States. He then went
to Trevorton, this county, where, with the exception of three months of
service in the army, he was engaged in mining until 1866, when he removed
to Locust Gap, and worked in the mines there six years. He came to Mt.
Carmel in 1872, where he has since resided, being employed about the mines
in various capacities. Mr. Wightman was married in 1859 to Sarah A. Jones,
of Trevorton, Pennsylvania, by whom he had thirteen children, of whom
eight are living: Mary B., Mrs. Jacob Reed; James; Charles; John; Sallie;
Edith; Warren, and Phebe. The family of Mr. Wightman are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. He enlisted in 1862 in Company I, Eighteenth
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged after three
months' service. He is a member of the F. & A.M., I.O.O.F., and G.A.R.,
has held the offices of assessor, councilman, and assistant burgess of
Mt. Carmel, and in politics is a Republican.

   FRANCIS MCCARTHY, deceased merchant and postmaster, Locust Gap, was
born in Aughagreagh, County Longford, Ireland, June 4, 1826, son of
Michael and Catherine (Farrelly) McCarthy, of the same county, where
both spent their lives. Francis passed his boyhood days in his native
land, and soon after reaching his majority he immigrated to Pennsylvania
and settled at Mine Hill Gap, Schuylkill county, where he engaged in
mining coal. While thus employed he met Mary Jane Robinson, daughter of
Thomas and Elizabeth (Patton) Robinson, natives of England and residents
of Mine Hill Gap, whom he married in Philadelphia, at St. Peter and St.
Paul's chapel, January 1, 1862. She was born in Minersville,
Pennsylvania, February 17, 1842, and bore him a family of four children:
Michael A., of Locust Gap; Elizabeth A., wife of Thomas Donlan, of Mt.
Carmel; Francis G., of Locust Gap, and Mary Florence, deceased. In
March, 1862, Mr. McCarthy located at Locust Gap, and in partnership with
Thomas Scott opened the first regular hotel in the place. He also
engaged in mining, which he followed three years in connection with
hotel keeping. The firm of Scott & McCarthy then opened a general store,
and carried on the hotel and mercantile business three years longer,
when Mr. McCarthy purchased his partner's interest and became sole
proprietor. In 1875 he abandoned hotel keeping, but continued
merchandising up to his death. For a number of years he was in
partnership with the late Conrad Graeber, and the firm of Graeber &
McCarthy conducted the principal mercantile establishment of Locust Gap
throughout its existence.
   Politically Mr. McCarthy was an ardent Democrat, and took a very
active interest in local affairs. On the 14th of February, 1871, he was
appointed postmaster of Locust Gap, by J. W. Marshall, first assistant
postmaster general, and served continuously through the several
administrations for nearly seventeen years, and at his death was
succeeded by his eldest son, Michael A., who has since held the office.
He was a life-long member of the Catholic church, and died in full
communion with that faith, November 6, 1887. Mr. McCarthy was a careful,
honest, and successful business man, and was respected by the community in
which the last twenty-five years of his life were spent. He was a kind
father and husband, and left to his widow and children a handsome estate.

   MICHAEL A. McCARTHY, merchant, Locust Gap, was born at Locust Gap,
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1862, and is the eldest
son of Francis and Mary Jane (Robinson) McCarthy. He was reared in
Locust Gap and educated in the common schools and at Pottsville Business
College. He commenced his business life as a clerk in his father's
store, and was admitted to a partnership in 1883, under the firm name of
McCarthy & Son, in which name the store is still conducted. He is also
interested in the dry goods and millinery store of McCarthy & Donlan in
Mt. Carmel, which was established in December, 1888. Mr. McCarthy was
married in January, 1884, to Anna, daughter of Thomas and Anna Carney,
of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. She is the mother of two children, one of
whom, Ambrose, survives. Politically he is a Democrat, and has been
postmaster of Locust Gap since the death of his father in 1887, who
filled the same office nearly seventeen years. Mr. McCarthy and family
are adherents of the Catholic church, and he is one of the most
enterprising and best known business men of his vicinity.

   JAMES A. MCCARTHY, dealer in general merchandise, Locust Gap, was
born at that place, February 10, 1864, son of John and Maggie (Mahan)
McCarthy. The paternal grandparents, Francis McCarthy and wife, were
natives of County Longford, Ireland, and came to America prior to 1840.
They settled in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. John McCarthy was born
in Schuylkill county, was an engineer by trade, and prior to the year
1863 removed to Locust Gap, thenceforth his residence until his death,
which occurred in July, 1865. His wife was born in County Fermanagh,
Ireland, daughter of James and Catharine (McGwyn) Mahan, who immigrated
to New Orleans in 1841 and subsequently removed to Pittsburgh, where
both died. To John and Maggie McCarthy were born three children Frank;
James A., and John. Our subject was reared at Locust Gap, received his
education at the common schools, and at the Bryant and Stratton Business
College of Philadelphia, and began his business life as door-keeper in
the mines. In the year 1841 he became clerk in a store, and on the 26th
of August, 1889, embarked in his present business, and conducts one of
the leading stores at Locust Gap. Mr. McCarthy married Bridget, daughter
of William and Bridget (Cannon) Harvey, December 31, 1885; to this union
two daughters have been born: Mamie and Margaret. He is a member of the
Catholic church, and in his political affiliations an ardent Democrat.

   MICHAEL KELLAGHER, proprietor of Locust Summit Hotel, Locust Gap,
was born at Forestville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, November 21,
1857, son of Patrick and Jane (Lynch) Kellagher, natives of Counties
Fermanagh and Cavan, Ireland, respectively. His parents came to America
in 1840 and settled in Schuylkill county, where his father began work in
the mines; he is still following that occupation, and has resided at
Locust Gap for the past twenty-one years. They are the parents of twelve
children, two of whom are deceased. Those surviving are: Michael; Mary,
Mrs. John McHugh; William; Jane; Robert; John; Anna; Kate; Susan, and
Elizabeth. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools,
and at the age of nine years began work in a coal breaker He was engaged
at the mines until twenty-one years old, when he established his present
business at Locust Gap in which he has been quite successful. April 14,
1887, he married Margaret, daughter of Simon and Mary (Casey) Brown, of
Danville, Pennsylvania, and to this union has been born one daughter,
Jane. Mr. Kellagher is a Catholic in faith, a Democrat in politics, and
has filled the offices of school director and of county commissioner;
the latter office he filled for two successive terms, being first
elected in 1881.

   JOHN McDONNELL, proprietor of the National Hotel, Locust Gap, was
born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1840, son of Peter
and Hannah (Patton) McDonnell, natives of Ireland and England,
respectively. The father came to America in 1838 and located at
Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in mining until 1861,
when he removed to Locust Gap. Here he worked in the mines for several
years, and during the latter part of his life kept the hotel now
conducted by his son. He was the father of seven children: John;
Thomas; Elizabeth J., Mrs. Thomas Pepper; George; Andrew; Mary, Mrs.
Jacob B. Betz, and Hannah, Mrs. Henry J. Omlon The grandfather of our
subject, Thomas Patton, was a native of England, and settled in
Minersville, this State, in 1838, where his sons opened the first coal
mines in that region. Our subject was reared at Mine Hill Gap,
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and began life in the mines as a
laborer. In 1860 he located in Locust Gap, where he was employed about
the mines for nine years. In 1879 he was appointed inside foreman of
Locust Gap colliery, which position he held four years, and was then
transferred to the position of hoisting engineer, which he filled until
1883. He then engaged in his present business, and has continued it with
good success. He was married, May 20, 1865, to Catharine, daughter of
Frank and Ann (Lynch) McCarthy, natives of County Longford, Ireland, by
whom he has had eight children: Peter; Anna, deceased; Lizzie, deceased;
Frank; Mary; Agnes; Catharine, and John, deceased. The family are
members of the Catholic church. Mr. McDonnell has served three years as
school director, and in politics is a Democrat.

   CHARLES DUGAN, proprietor of the Harvey House, Locust Gap, was born
in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1829, son of Hugh and Bridget (O'Donnal)
Dugan. He was reared in his native country and came to America in 1852,
locating in Carbon county, Pennsylvania, where he remained twelve years
engaged in mining. In 1864 he removed to Locust Gap, where he worked in
the mines until 1883. From this time to 1886 he was supervisor of the
roads of Mt. Carmel township. He then engaged in the hotel business, in
which he has since continued with good success. He was married in 1863 to
Susan, daughter of Michael and Isabella (Friell) Dougherty, of Ireland. Of
the children born of this union, five are living: Charles E., Cassie;
Belle; Mary A., and John. He is a member of the Catholic church, and a
Democrat in politics.

   CHARLES H. DOUGHERTY, proprietor of the Locust Gap Hotel, was born
in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1856, son of Michael and Mary
(Boyle) Dougherty, both of Irish parentage. The father was a native of
County Donegal, Ireland, and the mother, of Pennsylvania. They settled
in Locust Gap in 1866, where the father followed mining sixteen years.
He reared a family of five children: Charles H.; James F.; Edward;
Michael, and Mary. Our subject was reared in Locust Gap, and was
educated in the common schools. He began his business life in a breaker
at the age of eight years, and worked about the mines fourteen years.
In 1875 he was employed as clerk in the store of Graeber & McCarthy, at
Locust Gap, with whom he remained two years, and afterwards held the
same position with William Harvey & Son two years. He then became clerk
of a hotel and store combined, of which he has been proprietor since
1886. He was married in 1886 to Margaret, daughter of John and Ellen
Hogan, of Locust Gap. To this union one daughter has been born,
Gertrude. He and wife are members of the Catholic church, and in
politics he is a Democrat.

   PETER BRECKER, mine foreman, Locust Gap colliery, was born in Bavaria,
Germany, January 5, 1844, son of Peter and Magdalena (Omler) Brecker, who
emigrated in 1849, and from that date until 1871 the father was employed
in the mines of Schuylkill county. In the latter year he removed to Locust
Gap, where he was killed by the fall of an embankment, May 5, 1875. Of his
family five children are living: Peter; Nicholas; Harriet, Mrs. Alexander
Butt, and Charles. Their maternal grandparents, John and Magdalena (Colby)
Omler, natives of Germany, settled near St. Clair in 1851. There Mr.
Brecker received his education, and began life as a miner. In 1871 he came
to Locust Gap, and assumed his present position in 1875. May 15,1867, he
married Mary A., daughter of Peter and Magdalena (Luck) Steinfeld, natives
of Bavaria, and to this union seven children have been born: Henrietta C.;
Elizabeth; Peter N.; Josephine M.; Joseph J.; Henry W., and George F. In
politics Mr. Brecker is a Democrat, and has been intrusted with various
township offices; the family is Catholic in faith.

   MARK WHALEN, engineer, was born at Locust Gap, Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, October 16, 1863, son of John and Julia (Brennan) Whalen,
natives, respectively, of Counties Queen and Kilkenny, Ireland. His father
came to America in 1845 and located at Mt. Carmel, where he labored in the
mines fifteen years. Later he removed to Brookville, where he remained
five years, and in 1866 he removed to Locust Gap, where he has since
resided. Up to 1887 Mr. Whalen worked as a miner; he then received the
appointment of watchman at Locust Gap colliery, which position he still
holds. The mother of the subject of this sketch is a daughter of John and
Eliza (McCormick) Brennan, who were among the earliest residents of Mt.
Carmel. They are the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are
living: Mary; James; Mark; Margaret; Bridget; John; William, and Kate. The
subject of our sketch was reared and educated at Locust Gap, where he
learned his trade, and has occupied his present position eleven years. He
is a member of the A.O.H. and the Catholic church, and politically he is a
Democrat.

   JOHN DAVIS, engineer at Locust Gap colliery, was born in Buckley,
Wales, November 7, 1849, son of Thomas and Anna (Reed) Davis. He was
reared and educated in his native town, and served a six years'
apprenticeship at his trade. In 1869 he immigrated to Pennsylvania and
located at Mahanoy City, where he found employment at Lawton's colliery.
He subsequently went to Colorado, where he spent two years, and returned
to Doutyville, Northumberland county, where he remained four years. He
then located at Locust Gap and has since filled his present position.
Mr. Davis has been twice married. His first wife was Alice, daughter of
John and Ellen (Reed) Boyer, natives of England and Scotland,
respectively. She bore him four children, all of whom are dead: Anna;
Ellen; Sarah, and Thomas. His second wife was Anna, daughter of William
and Sarah Rodgers, of Shermanville, of which union four children have
been born: Thomas; George; Emma, and Sarah. In politics Mr. Davis is a
Republican, and is an adherent of the Episcopal church.

   PETER SMITH, engineer at Locust Gap colliery, was born, October 16,
1858, in Riley township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and is a son
of Dennis and Margaret (Wall) Smith, natives of County Cavan, Ireland,
who came to America about 1850 and located in Schuylkill county, whence
the father, who was a carpenter by trade, removed with his family to
Locust Gap in 1865, and resided there until his death in 1882. He had
five children: Edward, deceased; Mary, deceased; Ann, who married James
Donlan; Kate, Mrs. Robert Broderick, and Peter. The last named was
reared from eight years at Locust Gap, and began his active life as
slate picker in a breaker. For eight years he had charge of the breaker
machinery, and since 1887 has held the position of engineer at Locust
Gap colliery. He is a member of the K. of L., an adherent of the
Catholic church, and a supporter of the Democratic party.

   JOSEPH P. WHALEN, outside foreman of the Monitor colliery, was born
at Tuscarora, Schuylkill township, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in
1837, son of Michael and Bridget (Gormley) Whalen, natives of Ireland
and pioneers of Schuylkill county. They were the parents of six children: 
Patrick, deceased; Thomas; Joseph; Michael, deceased; John F., and Mary,
Mrs. Thomas Campbell. The father was a miner and died in Schuylkill
county. The paternal grandfather was Patrick Whalen, an early resident
of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Joseph P. Whalen began his business
life picking slate in a coal breaker at the early age of eleven years.
He then learned engineering and followed this vocation twenty-five years.
In 1885 he was appointed outside foreman at the Bast colliery in Ashland,
Pennsylvania. In 1889 he was transferred to the Monitor colliery at Locust
Gap, with which he is still connected. In 1873 he married Theresa,
daughter of Patrick and Mary (Tracy) Langton, of Ashland, and to this
union were born four children: Mary E.; Laura; William, and Theresa. Mrs.
Whalen died, October 14, 1890, a practical member of the Catholic church.
Mr. Whalen is independent in politics, and is a member of the Catholic
church.

   JOSEPH WATKINS, inside foreman of Monitor colliery, Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron Company, was born in South Wales, May 13,
1854, son of John and Jane Watkins. He was educated in his native
country, where he began life in the mines at nine years of age. After
following that vocation in Wales fifteen years he came to America in
1880, and located at St. Clair, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Here
he was employed in the mines fifteen months, and two years at Raven Run,
same county. He was then engaged at the Hammond colliery, Girardville,
where he remained sixteen months, and was then employed at another
colliery as inside foreman three years, when he was transferred to
Gilberton colliery, where he was employed ten months. In the spring of
1889 he located at Locust Gap, since which time he has filled his
present position. In 1876 he married Elizabeth, daughter of William and
Anna (Morgan) Morgan, of South Wales, and they are the parents of four
children: William; Edward; Albert, and May. He is a member of the Welsh
Congregational church, the I.O.O.F., and K. of G. E., and politically he
is a Republican.

   JOHN W. MORRISON, outside foreman, Alaska shaft, was born, September
13, 1854, at St. Clair, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, son of John and
Martha (Hoffman) Morrison. His paternal grandfather, William Morrison, was
a native of England and one of the earliest settlers of Schuylkill county.
His maternal grandfather, Henry Hoffman, was among the early settlers of
Berks county, Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch spent his childhood
days in Schuylkill county, where he began life as a slate picker on the
breaker at the age of nine years. In December, 1889, he removed to Mt.
Carmel to accept his present position. In 1876 he married Emily, daughter
of Henry and Hannah Heim, of St. Clair, and to them were born six
children: Delia; Clara; Hannah; Beulah; Harry, and Robert. Mr. Morrison is
connected with the P.O.S. of A., and is a Republican in politics.

   ALFRED AYERS, inside foreman at Alaska shaft, was born at York Tunnel,
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1841, son of Abram and Anna
(Russell) Ayers, natives of England. His maternal grandfather, James
Russell was a pioneer miner of Schuylkill county, and lived and died
there. Abram Ayers, father of our subject, was a miner in Schuylkill and
Northumberland counties, and at one time a mine foreman, also operating
a mine on his own account. He located in Mt. Carmel in 1853, where he
resided until his death in 1883. His children were as follows: Mary A.,
who married Frank Pershing; Alfred; Caroline; Ettie, who married John
Bell; Clara, wife of John Shaw, and Sarah, wife of Frank Shoener. Mr.
Ayers has been a resident of Mt Carmel since 1853, and is therefore one
of its oldest citizens. He began in the mines, worked on a breaker,
afterwards worked as loader, and finally engaged as a miner. He was
promoted to fire boss, then to assistant boss, and became inside foreman
in December, 1888, which position he has since filled in the Alaska
shaft. He was married, October 18, 1860, to Caroline E., daughter of
James Adams, of Mt. Carmel, and has ten living children: Eliza E., wife
of Robert Taylor; Matthew H.; Bessie, wife of Charles Hertzog; S.
Matilda; Carrie; James; Alfred; Claude; Howard, and Irvin. Mr. Ayers
served nine months in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at the close of
his term of service. Politically he is a Republican

   NICHOLAS METZINGER, inside foreman, Locust Spring colliery, was
born in Bayarn, Germany, March 22, 1835, son of Jacob and Gertrude
(Schraier) Metzinger. His parents came to America in April, 1852, and
located at St. Clair, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where they
remained until their death. They were the parents of six children:
Peter; Jacob; Nicholas; Eva, Mrs. Jacob Yohan; Joseph, and Kate, Mrs.
Matthew Drobile. The subject of our sketch began life as a miner, which
occupation he followed until 1870. In 1874, he located at Locust Gap and
was appointed to his present position in 1885. He married, April 30,
1859, Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Catharine Diehl, of St. Clair.
They are the parents of seven children: Augustus; Lewis; Eva; Catharine;
Gertrude; Carrie, and Lottie. Mr. Metzinger is a member of the Catholic
church, and is independent in politics.

   JAMES M. DERBY, clerk at Pennsylvania colliery and postmaster, was
born at Dunmore, near Scranton, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1850, son of
Chauncey and Esther (Carey) Derby. He received his education at Scranton
and began life by learning the trade of tinsmith, which he followed
until 1875, when he located at Shamokin. Here he clerked in a general
store several years, when he embarked in business on his own account
four years. Later he was in business at Mt. Carmel, and in 1887 he
removed to Green Ridge, where he accepted the position he has since
occupied. Mr. Derby is a member of the F. & A.M., K.T., and I.O.O.F. In
politics he is a Republican, and is justice of the peace of Mt. Carmel
township. Through his efforts a postoffice named Strong was established
in July, 1886, of which he is postmaster.