Local History: Chapter XLIII - Part II: Biographical Sketches - SHAMOKIN 
Part II. Bell's History of Northumberland Co PA

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Transcribed from Bell's History of Northumberland County Pennsylvania

CHAPTER XLIII - PART II


                        BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

                               SHAMOKIN.


	 WILLIAM C. KENNEDY was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 
1825.  He was reared and educated in his native county, and after the 
death of his parents went to Schuylkill county and found employment in 
the coal mines.  In 1849 he came to Shamokin and engaged in the 
manufacture of shingles, and subsequently turned his attention to the 
real estate business. He then, in connection with Jonathan Farnsworth, 
opened a coal drift where the Peerless colliery is now situated, and 
later opened a general store on the corner of Commerce and Vine streets, 
which was one of the pioneer stores of Shamokin.  He owned the site of 
what is known as Gosstown and erected the first house there.

	H. A. SHISSLER, druggist. was born at Port Carbon, Schuylkill 
county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1836, son of Henry and Annie (Long) 
Shissler. At the age of twelve years he entered the drug store of his 
father, where he remained five years. He then engaged in teaching, which 
occupation he followed three years.  He then located at Trevorton, this 
county, and established the first drug store in the place.  In 1858 he 
removed to Shamokin, and engaged in the drug business at the place where 
he is now located.  In 1859, in connection with W. R. Kutzner, he opened 
a store on the corner of Sunbury and Shamokin streets. In 1860 he sold 
his interest to his partner, and in 1862 enlisted in the medical 
department of the United States regular army, where he remained five 
months, and was discharged on account of physical disability.  In 1870 
he again resumed the drug business, which he has since conducted.  In 
1868 he was the Republican candidate for register and recorder, but was 
defeated.  He is a member of the Masonic order, of which he is a past 
master, also of the G.A.R. (Lincoln Post, No. 140), and in politics a 
Republican.  He is a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian church, and 
was superintendent of the Sunday school twenty-five years. He was 
married in April, 1858, to Rosetta,  daughter of Joseph Kaseman, of 
Shamokin township.
	DANIEL S. MILLER, retired boot and shoe merchant, was born in 
Shamokin township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1829, 
son of John and Eliza (Schroeder) Miller, natives of Lehigh and Berks 
counties, respectively, and early settlers of Shamokin township.  John 
Miller was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Esther Duttinger, 
nee Reed, and was the father of sixteen children. He died on his farm 
about 1861. Daniel S. was the third son by the first marriage, and 
remained under the parental roof until 1846, when he went to Port Carbon 
and learned the shoemaker's trade.  From 1849 until September, 1850, he 
worked in Tamaqua, and then came to Shamokin.  In 1851 he engaged in the 
manufacture of boots and shoes, and in connection therewith gradually 
built up a lucrative trade in ready-made goods, to which line the 
business is now confined. He erected his present store room in 1862, and 
in June, 1890, retired from business, and was succeeded by his sons, 
Albert D. and J. Harmer.  Mr. Miller has been 
	
	END OF PAGE 888 
	
twice married. His first wife was Hannah Ostler, whom he married, 
November 18, 1849. She bore him three children: John F., deceased; 
Irene, wife of William H. Chamberlain, and Araminta. Mrs. Miller died, 
February 22, 1855, and November 18, 1855, he married Mrs. Elmira Stokes 
nee Schwartz. Seven children were born of this union, four of whom are 
living: Francis A.; Rosie B., wife of W. C. Zimmerman; Albert D., and J. 
Harmer. The deceased are: Anne J.; Clara E., and George W. In politics 
Mr. Miller is a Republican, and has served in the borough council, and 
as school director seven years. He is one of the pioneer Methodists of 
Shamokin, and has been a trustee in the First Methodist Episcopal church 
since its organization.

	DANIEL YOST, builder and contractor, was born in Shamokin township, 
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1826, son of Conrad and 
Sarah (Shull) Yost, natives of Schuylkill and Northumberland counties, 
Pennsylvania, respectively. He was educated in the district schools, and 
learned the carpenter trade with his father. In 1845 he located at 
Minersville, Pennsylvania, where he remained six years working at his 
trade. In 1852 he removed to Shamokin, and in 1854 established himself 
in business, in which he has continued to the present time. Mr. Yost has 
erected many prominent buildings in Shamokin; among them may be 
mentioned the Academy, Isaac May's block on Shamokin street, the 
Reformed church, and Isaac May's residence. He was for many years the 
principal builder of the place, and since he established his business 
has erected about one thousand public and private buildings in the 
borough. Politically, Mr. Yost is a Democrat. He has filled the office 
of overseer of the poor a number of years, and served as a member of the 
council. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and of St. John's Reformed 
church. He was married, October 7, 1849, to Sarah L. Hoover, of 
Shamokin, and they are the parents of nine children: Rev. Francis, of 
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; John A.; Mary L., wife of E. W. Deibler; 
Lillian; Louisa, wife of William Heckman; George L.; Sallie; Bertha and 
Laurel.  Mr. Yost commenced business a comparatively poor man, and there 
are few men now living in Shamokin who have been longer identified with 
the material development of the town. His energy, strict attention to 
business, and honorable dealing place him among the prominent and 
respected citizens of the borough.

	JOHN SHIPP, deceased, was born at Hughes's Furnace, Franklin 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, son of Michael and Catharine (Smith) 
Shipp. He was employed at the Juniata furnace in Perry county, and from 
there went to Victoria furnace in Dauphin county, and thence removed to 
Millersburg, Pennsylvania.  In June, 1850, in connection with Zacharias 
Batorf, he engaged in the foundry business at Tremont, Schuylkill 
county, Pennsylvania. He subsequently came to Shamokin and was in the 
employ of Stephen Bittenbender, after which he went to Port Carbon for 
the purpose of casting the Henry Clay monument. Returning to Shamokin in 
1853 he again took 
	
	END OF PAGE 889 
	
charge of the foundry and machine works for Stephen Bittenbender, where 
he remained through the years 1856-57. He then established in Shamokin, 
the Star Iron Works, which he operated until 1873, when he sold his 
plant to Fisher & Medlar. He then connected himself with Boughner, Shipp 
& Company, coal operators, where he remained two years. At the 
expiration of that time he located in Ralpho township, and engaged in 
farming two years, when he returned to Shamokin and embarked in the 
mercantile business, which he conducted until his death in 1878. 
Politically, Mr. Shipp in early life was a Whig, and later joined the 
Republican party. He was an earnest Christian, and was one of the 
original members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was 
class leader many years, and was a liberal contributor of his means to 
the establishment of the Methodist church in Shamokin. He married 
Susanna Askins, of Perry county, Pennsylvania, who died in 1853, leaving 
three children: James A.; Sallie, wife of John Cruikshank, of Yorktown, 
Virginia, and Wilbur, of Pittston, Pennsylvania. Mr. Shipp was a member 
of the F. & A.M., and of the I.O.O.F., and was one of the active and 
enterprising citizens of Shamokin.

	RICHARD BLUNDIN DOUTY, deceased, was born, January 22, 1824, in 
Rush township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, son of William and 
Mary (Blundin) Douty.  He removed with his parents to Pottsville in 
1826, where he grew up under the parental roof.  He engaged early in 
boating upon the Schuylkill canal, having charge of one of his father's 
boats at the age of nineteen, in which business he continued eleven 
years.  He subsequently removed to St. Clair in the same county, as 
superintendent for Kirk & Baum, coal operators, where he remained until 
1859, when he came to Shamokin to take charge of the Henry Clay 
colliery.  In 1869 he engaged in coal operations for himself, at Ben 
Franklin colliery, where he continued coal mining until early in 1873, 
when, meeting with unfortunate financial losses, he was compelled to 
retire from operating.  He afterwards had charge of the Mt. Carmel 
colliery about one year, and was subsequently engaged in developing coal 
veins near Centralia. Mr. Douty was elected the first chief burgess of 
Shamokin, and re-elected the following year. He was again chosen for the 
same office in 1877, and took a prominent and active part in suppressing 
the labor riots of that year  Politically he was a Republican until the 
advent of the Greenback movement, when he joined that party and became 
its leader in this locality.  He was once the Greenback candidate for 
sheriff, and though a popular man his party was largely in the minority. 
Mr. Douty was married in January, 1845, to Rebecca A., daughter of Adam 
Case, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania They were the parents of eight 
children, only three of whom grew to maturity, and survive their 
parents: Mary L., widow of Colonel Alexander Caldwell; Elmira J., wife 
of William A. Richardson, of Shamokin, and Charles H., borough engineer.  
Mr. Douty died, October 12, 1889, his widow surviving him until December 
31st of the same 
	
	END OF PAGE 890 
	
year.  He was a member of the Masonic order, having joined Anthracite 
Lodge, of St. Clair, Pennsylvania, about 1854.  When Trinity Episcopal 
church, of Shamokin, was organized he became a member of that body, and 
was elected one of the wardens, and subsequently filled the office of 
senior warden ten years.  Mr. Douty was a square-dealing, honest man, 
and had hosts of friends throughout this portion of the State.

	CHARLES H. DOUTY, civil engineer, is a son of Richard B. and 
Rebecca Douty, and was born, October 29, 1849, in Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania. He came to Shamokin with his parents, was educated in the 
public schools of that borough, and afterwards studied civil 
engineering.  He has since been principally engaged in the practice of 
his profession.  In 1881 he was appointed by the council borough 
engineer, and has filled that position continuously up to the present. 
Politically he is an independent voter.

	WILLIAM B. KUTZNER was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, December 18, 
1835, and died in Shamokin, May 24, 1885.  He was a son of Edward A. and 
Anna (Robins) Kutzner, natives of this State.  At the age of twelve he 
went West with his parents, and there grew to manhood, principally 
engaged in clerking.  In 1857 he returned to Northumberland county, and 
a couple of years later located in Shamokin, where he clerked in a drug 
store, and who was a partner in the drug business.  In the spring of 
1861 John B. Douty took him into partnership, and they carried on a drug 
and general store up to 1864, when, the partnership was dissolved.  
Kutzner then established a drug and hardware store which he conducted 
until August, 1883, when he sold out to Peter E. Buck and retired from 
business, having accumulated through the passing years a valuable 
estate. Mr. Kutzner was married, June 12, 1861, to Anna M., adopted 
daughter of John B. Douty, who survives him. She is the mother of nine 
children: John D.; Anna L., wife of Dr. J. M. Maurer; Lavinia G., 
deceased; Kathrina B.; William E.; Hattie S.; Edith C.; Charles P., and 
W. R., deceased.  Politically Mr. Kutzner was a Republican, and held the 
rank of major in the National Guard during the labor riots of 1877.  He 
was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was connected with the 
Masonic fraternity.

	DAVID LLEWELLYN is a son of Edward and Sarah (Harris) Llewellyn, 
natives of South Wales, who immigrated to this country about 1831.  They 
first settled in Carbondale, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. In 1836 they 
removed to St. Clair, Schuylkill county, and in 1838 settled in 
Pottsville, where they resided until their death, which occurred in 1844 
and 1866 respectively. Their family consisted of three sons and two 
daughters. David, the eldest son, was born in South Wales, November 20, 
1825, and came with his parents to this State.  His early life was spent 
in different branches of the mining business.  In 1853 he located at Mt. 
Carmel, Northumberland county, and engaged in the development of what is 
now known as Bell's Tunnel, at which place he spent several years.  From 
there he went to Locust Gap and was 
	
	END OF PAGE 891 
	
inside superintendent for Haas & Bowen and others. In 1863 he settled in 
Shamokin as superintendent for Haas & Fagely, coal operators, and in 
1869 became one of the firm.  He was interested in the Cameron, 
Helfenstein, and Big Mountain mines, and continued in that business 
until 1886, when he retired from a long, active, active, and successful 
business career. On the 29th of March, 1872, he was elected a director 
in the Shamokin Banking Company, and September 14, 1883, was chosen 
president of that institution, which position he filled in a very 
efficient and creditable manner up to January 20, 189l. While a resident 
of Mt. Carmel Mr. Llewellyn was elected its first borough treasurer, and 
also filled the office of president of the school board.  He was one of 
the promoters and original directors of the Shamokin Electric Light 
Company, and is one of the present directors of the Shamokin Water 
Company. He has been married three times; his first Wife was Mary Haine, 
of Columbia County Pennsylvania, by whom he had three children: Emma, 
deceased; William, and Sarah, Wife of Nathan Swank.  His second wife was 
Susan Laubenstein, by whom he had six children: Frank; Alice; Ida; 
Annie; Effie, and Kate.  His present wife was Annie Robertson, of Pine 
Grove, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania.  Politically Mr. Llewellyn is a 
Republican, and is one of the prominent and wealthy pioneers of the coal 
region, where he has spent the greater part of his life.

	ANDREW ROBERTSON. For more than forty years this gentleman has been 
connected with the business of mining anthracite coal, and there are 
very few positions in or about a coal mine that have not been filled by 
him at one period or another of his life; slate-picker boy, blacksmith, 
engineer, mine foreman, and operator - all of these he has been and a 
success in each.  There are but very few men connected with the business 
who have so thorough a knowledge as he has of the intricacies and 
difficulties of coal mining; he is equally at home in the depths of the 
mine developing the capacities of the veins of coal and in the breaker 
preparing the commodity for market, and he is one of the very few coal 
operators who have solved successfully the difficult problem of mining 
profitably and making a triangular division of the profits between 
himself, his workmen, and his customers.
	Mr. Robertson was born in Scotland about sixty-six years ago.  His 
parents immigrated to this country when Andrew was quite young, stopping 
first in Canada, but afterward moved into the United States, locating at 
New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about seven miles from Pottsville. Near 
this place (at Lick Run) the father and uncle had a small coal Operation 
at which Andrew worked, and he afterward learned blacksmithing, working 
at Novelty colliery, at which place he was subsequently outside foreman. 
He also engaged later in mining on his own account at one or two small 
places, but these not proving profitable he went to California about 
1852; there he remained some time and was reasonably successful.  The 
place did not suit him, however, and he returned to his old home, 
Schuylkill county.  Had he 
	
	END OF PAGE 892 
	
remained in California he would without doubt have been one of the very 
wealthy men of the Golden State.  After his return from California, for 
some years he worked at his trade and filled various positions at 
collieries.
	In 1860 or 1861, in connection with Thomas Beddall, now dead, he 
opened the Eagle Hill colliery near Port Carbon; here his successful 
career commenced, after many difficulties that would have proved 
insurmountable to most men had been overcome, in which he was 
energetically aided by his partner, Mr. Beddall. This colliery proved 
very profitable, but, having a good offer for its purchase in the early 
part of 1865, the firm sold out to a Boston party; and, strange to say 
from that time the operation has ceased to be a paying one, not from any 
scarcity of coal, but the master workman and skillful operator who had 
brought success had removed to other fields of labor, and unfortunately 
for those who succeeded him had taken with him his energy, his brains, 
and his skill.
	In the early part of 1866 in conjunction with two other gentlemen 
he took a lease on a valuable tract near Shamokin, and here his 
Northumberland county operations commenced.  Mr. Robertson was the 
business manager of the firm (Robertson, Guiterman & Company) and 
personally superintended the working, and his partners were perfectly 
satisfied to leave their interests in his keeping. The Shamokin region 
at this time was comparatively unknown.  In April, 1867, the new 
colliery, "Greenback," was started and worked continuously and 
successfully until the coal above water level was exhausted, when Mr. 
Robertson sold his interest to his partners, who afterward worked the 
colliery below water level. In 1868 the same firm bought the Henry Clay 
colliery, Mr. Robertson personally superintending that as well as the 
Greenback.  This colliery under his management was also continuously and 
profitably worked until late in 1872, when the firm sold out to Mr. 
Jervis Langdon, of Elmira, New York.
	In the latter part of 1871 Mr. Robertson in connection with 
Alexander Fulton of Shamokin concluded a contract with the McIntyre Coal 
Company of Ralston, Lycoming county, to mine their coal for them at a 
certain price per ton.  Mr. Robertson personally superintended this 
work, and very successfully both for himself and the McIntire Coal 
Company, and yet he had had no previous experience in the soft coal 
business, by the energy, industry, and brains of the man made the 
success.  During this time Mr. Robertson had negotiated for the purchase 
of the iron furnace then in operation in Shamokin, intending to embark 
in the manufacture of pig iron. The negotiations, however, fell through, 
whether fortunately or unfortunately for himself - certainly the latter 
for Shamokin, as another industry would now be employing her sturdy 
workingmen.  The furnace has since been demolished.
	After the conclusion of his Ralston contract Mr. Robertson was, for 
a man of his indomitable energy and great activity and industry, in a 
very 
	
	END OF PAGE 893 
	
unfortunate position.  For the first time in many years he had nothing 
to do, a great misfortune for a man of his very active temperament. As 
he more than once said to the writer, "I must be at work or I can not 
live," and while the matter of money making was not paramount with him, 
the matter of employment was.  After a short period to him of "innocuous 
desuetude," with a view to a future purchase he accepted the 
superintendency of the Excelsior colliery, one of the oldest in the 
Shamokin region, but unfortunately then on the wane.  He eventually 
purchased an interest in the colliery, and under his skillful management 
it has become a large producer and one of the most profitable operations 
in the Shamokin region.  He still holds his interest in the colliery, 
but is content to leave it largely under the superintendency of his two 
sons, Andrew D. and George W.
	Although Mr. Robertson is a resident of Pottsville, Schuylkill 
county, the bulk of his business interests are in and around Shamokin, 
and by the citizens of the town and of Northumberland county he is 
considered emphatically "a Shamokin man." The town owes a great deal to 
his enterprising spirit in the erection of several fine buildings, 
stores, etc., and also a large flouring mill, which is most successfully 
conducted by his sons, Andrew D. and George W., and John F. Osler under 
the firm name of Robertson & Osler.  He also largely aided in the 
introduction of water into Shamokin, building and operating the gas 
works, electric light, etc., and his means have been freely given to aid 
the erection of churches, etc. At home Mr. Robertson lives in a very 
plain and non-ostentatious manner, making no show of his large and 
honestly acquired wealth, giving largely to charity, and it may be truly 
said of him that no worthy object appeals to him and goes away empty 
handed; his benefactions are known only to himself and the recipients.  
Mr. Robertson is one whom to know is an honor to anybody in any station 
of life, a good man, and while to the writer's knowledge not professing 
the creed or religion of any sect, a Christian.

	ALEXANDER FULTON was for many years one of the best known and most 
prominent operators in the Shamokin coal region, and is recognized as 
one of the successful, enterprising citizens of his adopted home.  He 
comes from the land of Burns and Walter Scott, and possesses many of the 
characteristics that distinguish the Scotch race.  Born at Hamilton, 
near Glasgow, Scotland, May 9, 1829, son of David and Catharine 
(McDonald) Fulton, his youth was passed on his native heath until the 
year 1848, when his parents immigrated to Schuylkill county, 
Pennsylvania, where Alexander commenced working in the mines.  In 1850 
he was placed in charge of the underground work in the mines owned by 
Frank McDonald, at Branchdale, Schuylkill county, which position he 
filled about two years.  In 1852 a company was formed at Nevada City for 
the purpose of tunneling a spur of the Rocky Mountains to turn the South 
Yuba river and supply the mining districts with water, and Mr. Fulton 
was placed in charge of the work. Though 
	
	END OF PAGE 894 
	
the company failed in the project, he completed his part of the 
contract, which took him about two years.  Returning to Pennsylvania he 
engaged in operating Locust Mountain coal mines near Mt. Carmel in 1855.  
He sold out in 1859 to Schall & Donohoe, and became associated with J. 
Langdon & Company, then the most extensive operators in this locality.  
Owing to a misunderstanding with the railroad company Langdon & Company 
transferred their operations to the Lackawanna coal region: Mr. Fulton 
went with them, and had charge of their business until the breaking out 
of the Rebellion cut off the Cumberland coal supply and necessitated a 
new field of operations. A company was then organized composed of Joseph 
Scranton, Thomas Dickson, Joseph Albright, J. Langdon, Alexander Fulton, 
and Samuel A. Barnard to operate in the coal fields of Nova Scotia.  Mr. 
Fulton was selected to manage the mining operations in that field, and 
he remained in Nova Scotia until the close of the war.  After his return 
he was employed by John Jacob Astor, Franklin Delano, and a Mr. Kennedy 
to open up the New Boston mines.  But in 1867, the difficulty between 
the railroad company and J. Langdon & Company having been adjusted, he 
resumed his old position in that firm.  From that time they produced and 
purchased from one thousand to five thousand tons of coal per day, which 
included the surplus product of individual operators in that locality.  
He was connected with this firm until he retired from active business in 
1885.
	During his operations he was interested in the following 
collieries: Locust Mountain, Big Mountain, Old Henry Clay, New Henry 
Clay, Hickory Ridge, and Stirling.  Of these he opened Hickory Ridge, 
New Henry Clay, and Stirling, the last named being owned and operated by 
Fulton & Kendrick. He also owned the McIntyre bitumen mine, which he 
operated in partnership with Andrew Robertson, of Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania.  Among other enterprises Mr. Fulton was one of the 
principal organizers of the Miners' Trust and Safe Deposit Company of 
Shamokin, and was subsequently identified in establishing the First 
National Bank, of which he was vice-president and a director up to 1889, 
when he disposed of his stock in that institution. He has filled the 
position of president of the Shamokin Cemetery Company twenty years, and 
was president of the Shamokin Water Company ten years.
	Mr. Fulton was married, December 31,1851, to Elizabeth, daughter of 
William Muir of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, who has borne him eight 
children: Margaret, deceased wife of George Marshall, of Shamokin; 
Katherine, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, wife of George Marshall; 
Clara A., deceased; Clara C. J., wife of George Robertson, of Shamokin; 
David; Flora, and William. At the age of eighteen Mr. Fulton was made a 
Mason by dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Edinboro and was initiated 
in Lodge No. 4, Hollytown, Scotland. He was doubtless the youngest man 
ever admitted to the order, and it occurred because he belonged to the 
Masonic band, and, his services being needed with the band, all of whom 
were 
	
	END OF PAGE 895 
	
Masons, in the lodge room, the lodge petitioned for a dispensation on 
these grounds and it was granted.  Politically he is an ardent 
Republican, and has been an elder in the Presbyterian church for over 
twenty years.  He has given generously of his means towards the support 
of the Shamokin church, and much of its present prosperity is due to his 
liberality.

	CONRAD GRAEBER was born at Spiesen, in Otwefler, Prussia, January 
16, 1826, son of John Graeber, and one of a family of fourteen children.  
He received a limited education; at the age of fourteen, his father 
having died the year previous, he entered his mother's grocery store to 
assist in maintaining the family.  One year later he commenced an 
apprenticeship at inspecting, numbering, and assorting glass and 
glassware, and received a diploma at the age of eighteen.  Not feeling 
satisfied with the outlook for the future he concluded to come to 
America, landed in New York City, May 25, 1845, and made his way to 
Patterson, Pennsylvania, where he had relatives.  The first employment 
he obtained in this country was to remove the dirt from the coal screens 
at one of the collieries; becoming dissatisfied with the remuneration, 
he found employment as a laborer in one of the mines. In the spring of 
1846, in partnership with Samuel Heilner, he took a contract to sink a 
shaft one hundred forty-five feet deep and drive a gangway west.  He was 
unfortunate in his first undertaking, for they soon struck the workings 
of an abandoned mine, when water entered the gangway and they narrowly 
escaped with their lives.  He again found employment in the mines.  
Feeling satisfied that the advantages of the United States were superior 
to those of his native country, for working people, he concluded to go 
home for the purpose of inducing his mother to emigrate with her family. 
He went to Germany in the fall of 1846, and returned, July 1, 1847, with 
his mother and the entire family, excepting an older brother and sister  
He then went to Patterson, Pennsylvania, and resumed work in the mines, 
where he remained one year, when he removed to Tuscarora, Pennsylvania, 
opened a confectionery store, and after two years added a restaurant and 
boarding house.  In 1853 he was elected constable for Schuylkill 
township, serving two years, and was at the same time engaged at the 
huckster business.  In 1554 he opened a general grocery store and also 
conducted a hotel.  In the same year Mr. Graeber was elected a member of 
the school board, which position he filled nine years, serving in the 
office of president five years, and as treasurer two years.  In the 
spring of 1856, in connection with Jacob Wagner, he commenced his first 
operation in coal; the enterprise not proving successful they dissolved 
after a partnership of two years.  Mr. Graeber had still kept in 
operation his grocery business, and in 1860 was appointed postmaster for 
Tuscarora.
	In 1863 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent 
Schuylkill county in the legislature. During this session Mr. Graeber 
was instrumental in causing the passage of the act to prevent the 
payment of laborers' wages in 
	
	END OF PAGE 896 
	
store orders.  The following year he was re-elected by a very large 
majority. which showed the appreciation of his services by the people of 
the county. In 1867 he received the nomination for sheriff, but, owing 
to defection and duplicity in his own party, he was defeated by thirty-
seven votes.  If this was considered the death of his political 
aspirations it was also the birth of a successful business career.  He 
continued in the grocery business until 1868, when, owing to the 
abandonment of the collieries on which the prosperity of the mercantile 
business depended, he decided to engage in coal operations.  He was 
offered a one-third interest in a colliery at Mahanoy Plane providing he 
would assume the entire charge of the management of the same, but not 
being satisfied with the prospects he refused.
	Disposing of his mercantile business, he formed a partnership with 
John Kemple of Pottsville, under the firm name of Graeber & Kemple.  
They then purchased the A. S. Wolf and Locust Gap collieries of Locust 
Gap, Northumberland county, leased from the Locust Gap Improvement 
Company one thousand acres upon which these collieries were situated, 
and commenced the mining and sale of coal, and also opened a general 
store at Locust Gap under the firm name of Graeber, Kemple & McCarthy.  
In 1869 the firm name was changed to Graeber, Kemple & Company, by the 
admission of Daniel Shepp, a prominent business man of Tamaqua, 
Pennsylvania.  In the same year Mr. Graeber became a resident of 
Shamokin, where he was soon recognized as a prominent and influential 
citizen and a man of unusual business ability, and won the confidence of 
all who knew him.  In 1871 he suffered a heavy loss in the destruction 
of the Locust Gap colliery by fire.
	In connection with a number of other citizens Mr. Graeber founded 
the Shamokin Banking Company in 1871, and was one of the original 
directors. In 1873 he was elected president of the bank, which office he 
filled for more than ten years.  This institution was the only financial 
one in Shamokin that weathered the panic of 1877, and to him is largely 
due that creditable result  In April, 1871, in partnership with Matthias 
Ludes, he established a general mercantile business in Shamokin, which 
was a successful enterprise and was continued until November, 1872, when 
Mr. Ludes retired from the firm and the business was conducted with Mr. 
Graeber's eldest son, John S., as a partner.  In 1873, in connection 
with Reuben Fagely, William H. Marshall, and others, he obtained a 
charter and organized the Shamokin Water Company, and was elected one of 
the board of directors, and in 1878 he was elected treasurer of the 
company and filled the office three years, when he resigned.  October 5, 
1875, the new breaker built by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and 
Iron Company was destroyed by fire, and a colliery was immediately built 
by the firm of Graeber, Kemple & Company to take its place.  In 1876 the 
firm name was changed to Graeber & Shepp, Mr. Kemple retiring.  In 1877 
John S. Graeber retired from the mercantile business of C. Graeber & 
Son, Mr. Graeber continuing the business in his own name. 
	
	END OF PAGE 897 
	
In 1881 he was a delegate to the Democratic State convention.  In 1883, 
after an active business life extending over a period of thirty-five 
years, he disposed of his entire business interests and retired, but 
soon tiring of inactivity he became the guiding spirit in the 
organization of the First National Bank of Shamokin, and was its first 
president, which office he filled up to his death.
	Mr. Graeber was twice married; his first wife was Catharine, 
daughter of Francis C. and Katharine (Hartman) Manse of Buhlen Brage, 
Oltenburg, Germany. who died, May 1, 1855, leaving three children: John 
S., of Shamokin; Carolina, who became a Sister of Charity, and is now 
deceased, and Jacob F., a resident of Shamokin.  June 12, 1856, he 
married Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Dindinger) Mayers, natives 
of Stundwailer in Alsace, France, and by this marriage they were the 
parents of nine children, six of whom are living: Edward N.; George C.; 
Charles A.; Albert W.; Mary A., and Frederick R.  Mr. Graeber's death 
occurred, January 21, 1888, dying as he had lived, a faithful member of 
the Roman Catholic church, to which denomination the whole family 
belongs.  His widow survives him and resides in the family homestead.  
Though a close dealer and very economical in his habits. Mr. Graeber was 
recognized as a man of the strictest honor and integrity.  Possessing a 
well-balanced mind and sound judgment, he usually succeeded where other 
men failed, and accumulated a large and valuable estate which his 
children inherited at his death.

	GEORGE C. GRAEBER, cashier of the First National Bank, was born in 
Tuscarora, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1859, son of 
Conrad and Sarah (Mayers) Graeber.  He received part of his education at 
St. Vincent's College, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and also 
received a one year's course at Bryant and Stratton's Business College 
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1877.  In the 
same year be took charge of his father's mercantile business in 
Shamokin, where he remained until 1881, when he removed to Locust Gap, 
Pennsylvania, and assumed charge of the mercantile business of C. 
Graeber & McCarthy, remaining with them two years.  He was one of the 
corporators of the First National Bank of Shamokin, which was organized 
in the summer of 1883, and at its first meeting was elected one of the 
directors and appointed cashier, which office he still fills.  In 1881 
Mr. Graeber married Mary M., daughter of Jacob and Lydia A. (Thomas) 
Hehr, of Shamokin, and by this union they are the parents of five 
children: Conrad B.; Clarence M.; George H.; Marion St. C., and Sarah C.  
Politically Mr. Graeber is a Democrat, and is a member of St. Edward's 
Catholic church.

	ROBERT GOODWILL, coal operator, was born at Lone End, 
Northumberland county, England, October 7, 1827, son of Anthony G. and 
Margaret (Fleeman) Goodwill.  At the age of ten he began the life of a 
miner at Belford, England, where he remained seven years.  He then went 
to Scotland 
	
	END OF PAGE 898 
	
and followed mining until the age of twenty-seven, when he immigrated to 
this country.  His first employment in America was at Gold Mine Gap, 
Dauphin county Pennsylvania, where he remained three years.  He then 
came to this county and obtained a contract at the Lancaster colliery, 
which he worked fourteen months.  He next went to Trevorton and was 
engaged in mining there for many years.  In 1864 he formed a partnership 
with A. A. Heim, under the firm name of Heim & Goodwill, and worked the 
Bear Valley colliery until November 15, 1877, when it was sold to the 
Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company.  In connection with his 
partner, A. A. Heim, they leased the Diamond Gas and Coal Company's 
colliery, and the Pentcost, located at Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, 
Pennsylvania, which they operated ten years.  In December, 1869, they 
purchased a quarter interest in the Monitor colliery from Richard B. 
Douty, and in March, 1870, another quarter interest was obtained.  But 
in September of the latter year they sold their interest in the Monitor.  
During 1877 Mr. Goodwill occupied the position of superintendent with 
the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company.  In 1878 he built 
the Carson colliery and operated it three years, and then retired from 
active business. In 1886 he again entered business, organized the 
Goodwill Coal and Coke Company of Flipping, West Virginia, and leased a 
colliery from the Blue Stone Coal Company, and in connection with it has 
in operation fifty coke ovens. Mr. Goodwill is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, of which he was a trustee fifteen years.  He also was 
trustee of the Second Methodist Episcopal church four years.  
Politically he is a Republican, and is one of Shamokin's most 
substantial citizens.  He was married, July 27, 1847, in England, to 
Catherine, daughter of Philip and Margaret (Jures) Wake, and by this 
union they have had five children, three of whom are living;  Anthony 
G., a merchant of Shamokin, and Philip and William, members of the 
Goodwill Coal and Coke Company of West Virginia.

	ISAAC MAY, SR., was born in Cornwall, England, March 18, 1819.  His 
parents, Joseph and Anna (George) May, emigrated from England to this 
country, located in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and subsequently 
removed to Canada, where they died.  The subject of this sketch was 
employed in the coal mines of Schuylkill county, and later in the lead 
mines of Galena, Illinois.  He returned to Schuylkill county and again 
found employment in the mines.  In 1864 he located at Shamokin, and 
under the firm name of May, Patterson & Company, commenced operating the 
Buck Ridge colliery, which they worked ten years: it was subsequently 
continued by May, Audenried & Company.  He afterward leased the Burnside 
colliery, which he operated six years, when it was disposed of to the 
Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company.  Under the name of Isaac 
May & Company he leased and operated the Morris Ridge colliery for 
several years, and then retired from active business.  Mr. May has been 
connected with many 
	
	END OF PAGE 899 
	
of the enterprises of Shamokin.  He was one of the directors of the 
Northumberland County National Bank, president of the Miner's Trust and 
Safe Deposit Company, one of the originators of the First National Bank, 
and its second president.  He married Mary, daughter of John and Sarah 
Sterling, of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born 
fourteen children, eleven of whom are living: James; Elizabeth, widow of 
H. W. Morgan; Isaac, Jr.; Emma, widow of A. D. Allen; Jennie, wife of A. 
A. Heizman; Ida, wife of J. F. Graeber; Susie, wife of W. W. Ryon; 
George; Joseph; Carrie, and Laura, wife of P. D. Driscoll.  Mr. May is a 
Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
while his wife and family belong to St. Edward's Catholic church of 
Shamokin, in which faith Mrs. May was born and reared.

	MAJOR JAMES MAY, coal operator, was born in Schuylkill county, 
Pennsylvania, December 4, 1843, a son of Isaac and Mary (Sterling) May, 
natives of England, and Berks county, Pennsylvania, respectively.  The 
subject of our sketch was reared in his native county and received a 
common school education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Forty-eighth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the following engagements: 
Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness 
(where he was commissioned second lieutenant), Spottsylvania, Cold 
Harbor, Petersburg Mine, Knoxville, Loudon, Campbell Station and 
Petersburg.  He was there commissioned first lieutenant, and served 
until the close of the war.  After his return home he was engaged in the 
mercantile business until l871, when, in connection with his father, he 
began operating the Burnside colliery.  He subsequently was interested 
in the Morris Ridge colliery, of Isaac May & Company, which is now 
operated in the name of May, Troutman & Company. In 1867 Mr. May joined 
the National Guard of Pennsylvania, and was appointed first lieutenant 
of the Shamokin Guards: later he was commissioned captain, and then 
major, serving twelve years.  He was married, January 31. 1866, to Mary 
G., daughter of John A. and Catherine Snyder, and by this union they 
have had twelve children, ten of whom are living: Katie; Louise; Lizzie; 
Maggie; Charlie; Samuel; Richard; Jean; Eleanor, and James I.  Mr. May 
has served in the borough council three years, and is treasurer of the 
Home Building and Loan Association.  He is also a member of the Loyal 
Legion, and Lincoln Post, No. l40, G.A.R. Politically he is a 
Republican, a member of St. Edward's Catholic church, and one of the 
leading and respected citizens of Shamokin.

	COLONEL ALEXANDER CALDWELL was one of the bravest and most 
efficient soldiers that went out from this county in defense of the 
Union during the dark days of civil strife.  He was born in Shamokin, 
Pennsylvania. February 19, 1840, son of Alexander and Martha Caldwell, 
early settlers of that town.  Alexander grew up in his native place and 
received such education as the schools of that timer afforded.  He 
taught school at intervals and 
	
	END OF PAGE 900 
	Page 901 contains a portrait of H. W. Morgan.
	Page 902 is blank.
	
attended academies at Millville and Tuscarora, Pennsylvania, several 
terms, was a well-read man, and possessed a very retentive memory. 
Returning from school to respond to the first call for troops, he 
enlisted in Company A, Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served as a 
drummer boy in the three months' service.  He re-enlisted, August 20, 
1861, in Company K, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three 
years, was mustered in as first sergeant, was promoted to second 
lieutenant, November 1, 1861, to first lieutenant on the battlefield of 
Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, and to captain of his company, November 
1, 1562.  He served in all the battles and campaigns of his regiment, 
and, veteranizing at the expiration of his three years' service, he took 
part in the closing scenes of the war, and participated in the grand 
review at Washington, D. C., May 24, 1865.  He was mustered out of 
service with the rank of captain, July 16, 1865.  Returning from the war 
he located in Shamokin, where he was married, September 11, 1867, to 
Mary L., eldest daughter of Richard B. Douty, of which union five 
children were born: Richard A.; Katherine; Grace, deceased; Frederick 
C., and Ralph M. Colonel Caldwell raised a company in Shamokin which was 
mustered into the National Guard, and he afterwards rose to the rank of 
colonel of the Seventh regiment, N.G.P.  For several years he was the 
local agent of the Northern Central Railway Company at Shamokin, and 
afterwards filled the office of notary public and pension agent very 
successfully up to his death. Politically he was a stalwart Republican, 
and was a thorough soldier in thought and deed.  He died, December 15, 
1886, and a monument to his memory and gallant deeds has been erected in 
the Shamokin cemetery by his comrades of the G.A.R.

	CAPTAIN HARRY W. MORGAN, one of the best known and most prominent 
coal operators of Shamokin, died at his home in that borough, October 
22, 1885, in the forty-fifth year of his age.  He was born in Abew Vale, 
Monmouthshire, South Wales, March 17, 1841, son of William and Sarah 
Morgan, also natives of South Wales.  His father died in his native 
land, and when twelve years old our subject came with his mother to Port 
Carbon, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood.  His 
mother died in Shamokin several years ago.  Our subject was a machinist 
and engineer by trade, which he followed until the breaking out of the 
war, when he enlisted at Philadelphia in the Anderson Troop, Fifteenth 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, and participated in all the campaigns of his 
regiment until the close of the Rebellion brought peace and harmony to a 
united land.  During the riots at Pittsburgh in 1877 he served in the 
Pennsylvania National Guard as paymaster of the Seventh regiment with 
the rank of captain, whence he derived that title.  Coming to Shamokin 
in 1865, he entered the employ of Isaac May, Sr., and for the succeeding 
ten years looked after that gentleman's coal operations, principally at 
Buck Ridge colliery.  Being a son- in-law of Mr. May, he then became a 
member of the firm  of Isaac May & Company, and 
	
	END OF PAGE 903 
	
operated the Burnside colliery until its sale to the Philadelphia and 
Reading Coal and Iron Company, when he became associated with William 
Beury in the timber business, and subsequently was engaged in the 
manufacture of fire brick at Queen's Run, Clinton county.  He then 
obtained an interest in the Morris Ridge colliery under the firm name of 
Isaac May & Company, with which be was connected up to his death.  
Captain Morgan was married, October 1, 1865, to Lizzie, eldest daughter 
of Isaac and Mary (Sterling) May, of Shamokin, who bore him a family of 
three children: Caroline, wife of James Nagle, of Shamokin, and Susannah 
and Isaac, both of whom died in infancy.
	Captain Morgan came to this country when but a mere lad, filled 
with a laudable ambition to succeed, and so well were his hopes realized 
that his success furnishes a striking illustration of what the humblest 
can accomplish in this land of freedom by industry, honesty, and 
perseverance.  Without neglecting his legitimate business he sought 
every opportunity to cultivate, his mind and enlarge his field of 
knowledge, and by close application made rapid advancement in the 
practical branches of mathematics.  Although, in a measure, self-
educated, few business men were better informed upon all useful 
subjects.  He was a genial companion, an interesting conversationalist, 
and a conservative counselor  Captain Morgan was an expert miner, 
intimately acquainted with the coal measures of this region, and by 
careful management amassed a handsome fortune. Shortly before his death 
he united with St. Edwards Catholic church, and died solaced by the 
sacraments of that denomination.  In all the relations of life, as a 
citizen, husband, father, and friend, he proved true and steadfast, and 
in his death the community lost one of its most respected members.  He 
was a sincere, unostentatious, and liberal-hearted man, and was always 
deeply interested in all that pertained to the welfare of the town 
wherein his fortune and reputation were established.

	A. A. HEIM, superintendent of the Shamokin Gas Light Company, is a 
son of John J. and Christina (Winegardner nee Mannel) Heim, natives of 
Alsace-Lorraine and Wurtemberg, Germany, respectively.  His father 
immigrated to this country in 1826 and located in Philadelphia, where he 
worked at his trade of silk weaver. He subsequently lived in Lycoming, 
Montour, and Columbia counties, finally settled at Dushore, Sullivan 
county, and purchased a small farm adjoining the borough limits, which 
he laid out in lots, and it now comprises a part of Dushore.  He was 
three times married: his first wife died upon the voyage to this 
country.  By this marriage he had a son, Jacob J., who lives at 
Freeport, Illinois, engaged in farming. By his second wife, Christina 
Winegardner nee Mannel, who died in 1854, he had five children: A. A.; 
Margaret, deceased; William, deceased; Sophia, deceased, who married 
Samuel Gulick of Danville, Pennsylvania, and Carolina, wife of M. G. 
Shults, of Montour county.  His third wife was Anna M. Barge, who died 
without issue.
	
	END OF PAGE 904 
	
	The subject of this sketch was born in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, 
October 11, 1828, and received but a limited education, which comprised 
only four months of English and four months of German tuition at Muncie, 
Sullivan county, Pennsylvania.  He was apprenticed to the carpenter 
trade at Danville, Pennsylvania, and in May, 1850, located at Trevorton  
and engaged in the carpenter and building business. He built all the 
public and a large number of private buildings of that town erected 
previous to 1863, among which are the Methodist and Baptist churches, 
the Trevorton House, Fould's Hotel, Patton's building, and Edward 
Helfenstein's residence. In 1852, in connection with Jacob Gass, he 
built the first coal breaker at Trevorton. While a resident of Trevorton 
he filled the office of justice of the peace, and served upon the school 
board for a number of years. In 1863 Mr. Heim located at Bear valley and 
built for Stephen Bittenbender the Burnside colliery, and in the 
following year he leased the Bear Valley colliery, which he operated 
until November 1877, when he sold his lease to Philadelphia and Reading 
Coal and Iron  Company. In 1869-70 he built the George Fales colliery on 
the lands of the Shamokin and Bear Valley Coal Company, near Bear Valley 
colliery. In 1869 he purchased a one-half interest in the Montour 
colliery at Locust Gap from R. B. Douty and completed the colliery in 
September, 1870, sold it to George W. John & Brother, of St. Clair, 
Pennsylvania.  In 1872 he located in Shamokin, and in 1880, in 
connection with W. L. Shaffer, cashier of the Girard Bank of 
Philadelphia and William and Thomas Audenried, he built a colliery at 
Black Ridge, near Hazelton. Luzerne county, which they operated until 
1882, under the name of the Black Ridge Coal Company.
	Mr. Heim has been identified with many of the public and private 
enterprises of Shamokin.  He is vice-president of the Shamokin Banking 
Company, and was one of its corporators. He is also superintendent and 
one of the board of directors of the Shamokin Manufacturing Company, and 
superintendent and secretary of the Shamokin Gas Light Company.  He was 
married in 1849 to Barbara, daughter of George Keister, of Montour 
county, Pennsylvania, and by this union they have had seven children, 
three of whom are living: Arthur William, merchant tailor, Reading, 
Pennsylvania; David W., teller of the Shamokin Banking Company, and 
Charles F., of the Shamokin Manufacturing Company. Mr. Heim is a member 
of Sunbury Lodge, F. & A. M.; he is also one of the oldest surviving 
members of the Shamokin Methodist Episcopal church, and one of the 
trustees and stewards of that society.  At the time of Lee's invasion of 
Pennsylvania he enlisted in the Trevorton Guards, which were known as 
Company K, Eighth Pennsylvania Militia. Politically he is a Republican, 
and a gentleman of broad views, liberal principles, and considerable 
enterprise.

	R. S. AUCKER, real estate dealer and builder, was born in Union, 
now Snyder county, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1839, son of Emanuel and Hannah 
	
	END OF PAGE 905 
	
 (Snyder) Aucker, natives of Pennsylvania of German descent.  He was 
reared upon the homestead farm, and received only such schooling as 
could be obtained at the log school houses of that period.  He learned 
the carpenter and mill-wright trades, which he followed until 1865, when 
he located in Shamokin and engaged in contracting and building with one 
apprentice; this, however, soon developed into one of the largest firms 
of the kind in the county, erecting as many as fifty houses in one year.  
In 1872 Mr. Aucker established a furniture and undertaking business, 
which he carried on until 1888, when he sold it to his brother, J. S. 
Aucker, and T. H. Paul, two of his employees.  In February, 1882, he 
organized the firm of Aucker, Slayman & Company, taking into partnership 
two of his former workmen, C. J. Slayman and Joseph W. Kessler.  This 
firm has since conducted an extensive business and erected many of the 
best public and private buildings in Shamokin.  Among these are the 
Garfield school house, C. C. Leader's block, the Globe building, the new 
addition to the Reformed church, and the private residences of C. Q. 
McWilliams and George O. Martz.  Since the organization of the firm of 
Aucker, Slayman & Company, Mr. Aucker has given his attention 
principally to the management of his large real estate interests.  He 
was married, December 25, 1862, to Mary, daughter of Willoughby Walt, of 
Georgetown, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and they are the 
parents of three living children: Ida, wife of M. G. Reager, a merchant 
of Shamokin; Emma E., and Mary E.  Mr. Aucker has been a member of the 
borough council and school board, also president of the West Ward 
Building and Loan Association, and one of its directors for fifteen 
years. He is a member of St. John's Reformed church, and has filled the 
office of deacon and elder eighteen years. Politically he is a Democrat. 
Twenty-five years ago Mr. Aucker established himself in Shamokin, and by 
hard work, energy, and enterprise he has succeeded in building up one of 
the finest business interests in the county, and is today one of 
Shamokin's prominent and most respected citizens.

	JOHN MULLEN, proprietor of the Shamokin Iron Works, and president 
of the First National Bank, is a son of Thomas and Mary (Mongey) Mullen, 
natives of Ireland, who immigrated to Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, 
Pennsylvania, in 1831, where our subject was born, February 27, 1838.  
At the age of ten he began working in a foundry at Port Carbon, and 
afterwards learned the machinist trade with T. H. Winterstein of the 
same place.  In 1863 he became a member of the firm of Allison & 
Company, of Port Carbon, which continued only a short time when the 
works were burned.  He then served as foreman of Allison & Bannan until 
1870, when he came to Shamokin and in partnership with David Hufman 
leased the Shamokin Iron Works and commenced business under the name of 
Mullen & Hufman. In 1874 Stephen Bittenbender became a member of the 
firm, and the present shops were erected.  On the death of Mr. Huffman 
in 1876 his interest was purchased by 
	
	END OF PAGE 906 
	
his partners and the firm changed to John Mullen & Company.  In 1880 Mr. 
Mullen bought out Bittenbender, and in April, 1883, took his son Thomas 
in partnership, when the name of John Mullen & Son was adopted.  They 
manufacture all kinds of mining machinery, and the Allison Patent 
Cataract Steam Pump.
	Mr. Mullen is recognized as one of the most enterprising, 
substantial. and useful citizens of Shamokin.  He is president of the 
First National Bank, a director and treasurer of the Shamokin Electric 
Illuminating Company, a director of the Shamokin Gas Light Company, 
president of the Shamokin Coal and Coke Company of May Beury, West 
Virginia, vice-president of the Shamokin Building and Loan Association, 
a stockholder in the West Ward Building and Loan Association, a member 
of the Home Building and Loan Association, president of the Shamokin 
Powder Company, a charter member of the Shamokin Steam Heating Company, 
treasurer of the Driving Park Association, and a director in the 
Shamokin Manufacturing Company.  He also takes an active interest in 
public affairs, and served in the borough council in 1884 and 1885.  In 
politics he is a Republican. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted 
in the Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers for the three months' service, and 
served until the expiration of his term.
	Mr. Mullen was married, September 3,1861, to Miss Mary O'Brien, of 
Herkimer county, New York.  Seven children are the fruits of this union: 
Thomas; Mary, wife of C. McCarthy, of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania; William; 
Nellie; Edward; Charley, and Lettie.  The whole family are members of 
St. Edward's Catholic church.  Possessing unbounded energy, a sound 
knowledge of his business, and commendable pluck, Mr. Mullen has arisen, 
unaided, from comparative obscurity to a foremost place in the financial 
and material progress of his adopted home. Imbued with rare enterprise 
and public spirit, and of strict integrity in all the affairs of life, 
he has won an enviable position among the prominent business men of 
Northumberland county.

	HOLDEN CHESTER, superintendent of the Union Coal Company, was born 
in Vermont, September 30, 1833, son of Joseph and Hannah Chester.  His 
parents dying when he was very young, the advantages of an education 
were denied him. He began life in the mines at the age of nine years, 
and continued at the same until fourteen years old, when he went to 
Tamaqua, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and apprenticed himself to the 
blacksmith trade, serving six years.  In 1861 he enlisted in Company L, 
Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served three years; his service during 
the last six months was as a veterinary surgeon, acting under a 
commission from the Secretary of War. At the close of his term of 
enlistment he returned to Dauphin county, built the Williamstown 
colliery, and was outside superintendent eight years. In March 1873, he 
located at Shamokin as the superintendent of the Mineral Railroad and 
Mining Company, which position he occupied until 1880, 
	
	END OF PAGE 907  
	
when he was made general superintendent of the Lykens Valley Coal 
Company, and filled that position until 1885, and was then appointed 
superintendent of the Union Coal Company.  Mr. Chester is one of 
Shamokin's enterprising and progressive citizens, and has been 
identified with many of its public and private improvements.  He is 
president of the Arc and Edison Electric Light Companies, also president 
of the Shamokin Gas Light Company, and one of the board of directors of 
the Shamokin Water Company. He has always taken great interest in 
educational matters, and while a resident of Dauphin county served as 
school director.  He is a member of Millersburg Lodge, F. & A.M., and is 
an attendant of the Presbyterian church and one of the trustees of the 
Shamokin congregation.  In politics he is a Republican.  Mr. Chester 
married, in 1857, Christina Wilson, a native of Scotland.  During the 
Rebellion Mr. Chester was noted as a brave and efficient soldier, and 
served his country well in the hour of danger. Since coming to Shamokin 
he has had charge of a large number of collieries, and managed them in a 
very efficient manner.  But on account of ill health and the laborious 
work which they imposed, necessitating his absence from home a great 
deal, he gave up the two large collieries in Dauphin county. He has 
always been held in the highest esteem by his employees, and, therefore, 
has been very successful in the management of the large interests which 
he superintends.  Mr. Chester is recognized as the soul of honor and 
integrity, and has won an enviable reputation among his business 
contemporaries.

	DARLINGTON R. KULP, lumber dealer, was born in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, November 29, 1826, son of Christian and Catharine 
(Renninger) Kulp, natives of Pennsylvania, the former from Montgomery 
and the latter from Berks county.  Both spent their lives in the eastern 
part of the State, dying at the ages of seventy-three and eighty-three 
years, respectively. Our subject grew up near Pottstown, Montgomery 
county, and received a limited education.  He learned the carpenter 
trade and in early manhood began the lumber business which he has 
followed up to the present.  Mr. Kulp was married. October 5, 1851, to 
Elizabeth, daughter of George and Sallie (Houck) Gilbert, of Montgomery 
county. She was born in New Hanover, Montgomery county, and by her 
marriage to Mr. Kulp is the mother of twelve children, eight of whom are 
living: Zipporah, wife of Chester B. Thomas, of Shamokin; Joanna 
Catharine, widow of Edwin Shuman; Monroe H.; Clayton A.; Ella J.; 
Chester G.; Howard C., and Gilbert G., all residents of Shamokin.
	In October, 1867, Mr. Kulp removed to Shamokin and continued the 
lumber business in partnership with B. S. Shultz and William B. Bechtel, 
under the firm name of Shultz, Bechtel & Company.  In 1869-70 he 
operated the Ben Franklin colliery under the name of Kulp, Bechtel & 
Company.  In July 1871, he joined Matthias Emes and the firm of Kulp & 
Emes continued 
	
	END OF PAGE 908 
	
about six years, when the latter was succeeded by Isaac F. Stetler.  On 
the 1st of May,  1878, C. Q. McWilliams purchased Stetler's interest and 
the firm name became Kulp & McWilliams.  In 1879 they added ice and 
brick to the lumber business, and carried on all three until January 1, 
1882, when W. C. McConnell became a member of the firm. Kulp, 
McWilliams, & Company dissolved partnership August 15, 1886, Mr. Kulp 
retaining the lumber business, which he has ever since followed 
successfully.  In connection therewith he has purchased a large amount 
of timber lands, which he has cut the timber from and converted into 
farms now owning ten farms in this and neighboring counties.  In the 
spring of 1886 Mr. Kulp and his eldest son, Monroe H., opened a general 
mercantile store under the firm name of D. R. Kulp & Son, which they 
conducted about three years and then sold to .J. O. Keeler.  He has 
taken a prominent interest in the development of Shamokin, and was the 
first president of the Roaring Creek Water Company, and a director in 
the Shamokin Water Company.  Politically a Whig and a Republican, he has 
always taken an active interest in the success of his party.  He has 
served in the borough council and as poor director of Coal district.  At 
the time of Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania he was one of those loyal 
emergency men who responded to the call of his country in her hour of 
danger.  Though reared in the German Reformed church he has affiliated 
with the Lutheran church since coming to Shamokin.  He is a member of 
Elysburg Lodge, No. 414, and Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, F. & A. M.  Mr. 
Kulp is recognized as a progressive, enterprising citizen and an 
upright, honest man.

	MARTIN MARKLE, proprietor of Eagle Run brewery, was born at 
Werlhim, Ob Balingen, Königreich Würtemberg, Germany, February 12, 1835, 
son of George and Barbara (Souter) Markle.  His father held a civil 
office under the government forty years.  Mr. Markle was educated in the 
common schools, and remained upon the homestead farm until seventeen 
years of age. In April, 1852, he immigrated to the United States, 
arriving in New York, April 23d,  where he remained only a brief time.  
He then removed to Slatington, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and 
found employment with the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, as lock 
tender, where he remained nineteen years.  In 1862 he engaged in 
operating a general store at the lock, which is known today as Markle's 
lock.  Mr. Markle located at Shamokin, December 1, 1871, and purchased 
the John B. Douty brewery in Coal township, in which business he has 
since been successfully engaged.  He was married, June 17, 1852 to 
Helena daughter of Casper Eith, a native of Germany, by which union they 
have seven children: Hannah, wife of Pius Schweibenz;  William M.; 
Amandus; Helen, wife of Daniel Stahl; George F.; Sarah, wife of Charles 
Tretter, and Cecelia.  Mr. Markle is a member of the Lutheran church, 
and in his political affiliation he is a strict Democrat.  He is one of 
the most enterprising and progressive 
	
	END OF PAGE 909 
	
citizens of his adopted home, is a director of the First National Bank, 
and a director and treasurer of the Shamokin Street Railway Company.  
Upright and honest in all his dealings, Mr. Markle has won the respect 
and confidence of a large circle of the leading business men of this 
section of the State.

	GEORGE MARSHALL was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 23, 1847, 
son of George W. and Esther G. (Bowen) Marshall, who are now residents 
of Shamokin.  He was reared and educated in his native city, where he 
lived until March, l866, when, at the solicitation of his uncle, the 
late William H. Marshall, he came to Shamokin, and in partnership with 
Thomas M. Helm engaged in the flour and feed business, which they 
carried on six years. He then sold his interest to Mr. Helm and the 
following year went into the planing mill and lumber trade, which he 
conducted successfully up to May, l890, when he disposed of his mill 
interest to his brother.  While in this business he did considerable 
contracting and building and erected many of the best buildings in the 
town, including the Presbyterian church and chapel, Hotel Vanderbilt, 
Boston block, and the Oram and Helm block. For several years he has been 
largely interested in real estate, and has done much in building up his 
adopted home.  Mr. Marshall was married in September, 1875, to Maggie, 
daughter of Alexander Fulton of Shamokin.  Two children, William H. and 
Ann Farr, both of whom are deceased, were the fruits of this union. Mrs. 
Marshall died in January, 1878, and in June, 1885, he married Libbie 
Fulton, a sister of his first wife, and they are the parents of three 
children: Elizabeth F.; George, and Alexander.  On the death of his 
uncle in 1878, Mr. Marshall was chosen to succeed him as treasurer of 
the Shamokin Cemetery Company, and has filled that office to the present 
time. Politically he is a Republican, and has been twice elected a 
member of the borough council. The family adhere to the Presbyterian 
faith.  Mr. Marshall is an active, enterprising business man, foremost 
in advocating and assisting in works of public improvement, and is 
recognized as one of the prominent and successful citizens of Shamokin.

	F. T. REED, builder and contractor, is the senior member of Reed & 
Faust. He is a son of Moses and Maria (Kantner) Reed, natives of 
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and was born at Schuylkill Haven, 
Pennsylvania, October 6, 1845. His education was obtained at the public 
schools. He learned the carpenter trade, which business he followed at 
various places until 1870.  In this year he located at Shamokin, working 
for William Moore, Samuel Yost, Lewis & Ogden, and Joseph Wildman for 
several years, when he accepted the position of foreman of George 
Marshall's planing mill, which position he filled until 1885, when, in 
connection with Daniel Faust, their present firm was established, and 
they are now among the leading builders of the county.  Since they 
commenced business they have erected over two hundred private residences 
in Shamokin, and several public buildings, including 
	
	END OF PAGE 910 
	Page 911 contains a portrait of Martin Markle.
	Page 912 is blank.
	
the Grand Army opera house.  In 1868 Mr. Reed was united in marriage 
with Rebecca, daughter of John Dress, of Schuylkill county, and by this 
union they had ten children, nine of whom are living: Alice, wife of 
Jacob Evans; Adelia; John; Robert; Sallie, deceased; Frank; Bessie; 
Edna; Nelson, and Clara.  Mr. Reed enlisted in Company C, Twenty-seventh 
Pennsylvania Militia, and served until discharged.  He is one of 
Shamokin's enterprising and liberal citizens, and in politics is a 
Democrat.

	J. S. AUCKER, of the firm of Aucker & Paul, furniture dealers and 
undertakers, was born near Selinsgrove, Snyder county, Pennsylvania, 
July 25, 1847, son of Emanuel and Hannah (Snyder) Aucker.  He attended 
the district schools and the Freeburg Academy, and was occupied with 
farming until 1866, when he removed to Shamokin and learned the 
carpenter trade with his brother, B. S. Aucker, in which he was engaged 
several years.  In 1871 he and F. D. Heckard established the furniture 
and undertaking business, and were succeeded by R. S. Aucker.  Between 
the years 1873 and 1888 our subject was engaged in undertaking, selling 
and manufacturing furniture, and house-building for his brother, and in 
teaching school at his birthplace, in Michigan, and in Shamokin. In 
1888, in partnership with T. H. Paul, he purchased the furniture 
business of R. S. Aucker, and the firm of Aucker & Paul are now 
conducting two furniture stores in Shamokin. Mr. Aucker was married in 
1878 to Sallie, daughter of Daniel Deibler of Shamokin, and by this 
union they have had four children: Edna V.; Grace A.; Ira E., and Nellie 
H.  Mr. Aucker is a member of St. John's Reformed church, is a Democrat 
in politics, and is a member of the Shamokin school board.

	T. H. PAUL, of the firm of Aucker & Paul, furniture dealers and 
undertakers, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1854, 
son of Samuel and Catharine (Haas) Paul.  When he was twelve years old 
his parents removed to Mt. Carmel, where they remained four years, and 
then located in Shamokin. He attended the common schools and worked in 
the mines until he was eighteen years old, learned the carpenter trade 
with B. S. Aucker, and followed the business four years.  He then 
embarked in the grocery business, at which he continued four years.  He 
subsequently took charge of the furniture business of B. S. Aucker, 
which position he filled until February, 1888, when, in connection with 
I. S. Aucker, they purchased the business, and are now conducting two 
stores in Shamokin. Mr. Paul was married in 1875 to Sophia Fry, of 
Shamokin, and by this union they have three children: Mazie; Lily, and 
Helen. He is a member of Shamokin Lodge, No. 664, I.O.O.F., and of Camp 
30, P.O.S. of A., and is past State vice-president.  In 1889 he was 
elected a member of the school board of Shamokin.  He is a member of St. 
John's Reformed church, and politically a Republican.

	C. J. SLAYMAN, of Aucker, Slayman & Company, builders and lumber 
dealers, was born in Catawissa, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, January 
21, 
	
	END OF PAGE 911 
	
1850, son of Jacob and Margaret (McClow) Slayman, natives of 
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, who removed to Elysburg, 
Pennsylvania, where our subject was reared and educated. He was engaged 
at farming until 1868, when he came to Shamokin and learned the 
carpenter trade, at which he worked nine years.  He was then employed by 
Peter Yocum, of Bear Gap, as a clerk, two years, after which he returned 
to Shamokin and worked at his trade one year with R. S. Aucker, when the 
firm of Aucker, Slayman & Company was formed. He was married, March 3, 
1873, to Amelia, daughter of Joel Engle, of Georgetown, Pennsylvania, 
and to this union six children have been born: Carrie E.; Maggie E.; 
Annie A.; Ida G.; Franklin C., and Effie C. Mr. Slayman is a member of 
the Methodist church, and one of its trustees; he is also a director of 
the West Ward Building and Loan Association.  Politically he is a 
Republican. He is one of the best known business men of Shamokin, and is 
an active member of the largest building firm in the county.

	JOSEPH W. KESSLER, of the firm of Aucker, Slayman & Company, was 
born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1849, son of John 
M. and Elizabeth (Wolfgang) Kessler.  He was reared and learned the 
carpenter's trade in his native county. In 1871 he came to Shamokin and 
found employment with R. S. Aucker, with whom he remained four years. He 
then spent some time in Ohio and Indiana, after which he again found 
employment with Mr. Aucker. In 1875 he accepted a position as foreman 
for B. Cooper, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained eight 
months, when he located at Kansas City, Missouri, and was engaged as 
foreman for J. F. Whitson, and subsequently engaged in business there 
with J. W. Werst.  In February, 1882, he disposed of his interest and 
returned to Shamokin to accept a partnership in the firm of Aucker, 
Slayman & Company, at which time that firm was organized.  Mr. Kessler 
was married in March, 1876, to Polly, daughter of Joel Engle, of 
Georgetown, Pennsylvania, and by this union they have had six children: 
Katie, deceased; Irwin; Sadie; Cora; Bessie, deceased, and Annie. Mr. 
Kessler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics 
is a Republican.

	JOHN A. Yost, proprietor of Rock Street planing mill, was born in 
Shamokin, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1855, son of 
Daniel and Sarah L. (Hoover) Yost.  His education was received at the 
public schools; he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed with 
his father until May, 1889, when he established his present business, 
and engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, and all kinds of 
molding, giving employment to eight men. Mr. Yost was married to Sarah 
J., daughter of Joseph P. and Sophia (Startzel) Kaseman, of Shamokin 
township, and they are the parents of four children Edna L.; Lillian G.; 
Myrtle M., and Ralph E. Politically Mr. Yost is an ardent Democrat, and 
is a member of St. John's Reformed church. He is one of the pushing 
young business men of Shamokin, and commands the respect of his fellow 
citizens.
	
	END OF PAGE 912 
	
	EDMUND MORGAN, lumber dealer, was born in Minersville, Schuylkill 
county. Pennsylvania, September 9, 1838, son of Thomas and Catharine 
(White) Morgan.  He was educated in the public schools of his native 
town, and worked at the carpenter trade in various places until 1875, 
when he located in Shamokin and followed the teaming business for three 
years. He then embarked in his present business, and has since been 
engaged in furnishing prop-timber for mine work. Mr. Morgan was married, 
June 18, 1863, to Rebecca, daughter of Ezra Cockill, of Schuylkill 
county.  Nine children have been born of this union: Harvey; Frank; 
Edmund; Ezra; Thomas; Albert; Annie; Effie, and Cressy.  Politically he 
is a Republican. In his early life he was deprived of many opportunities 
accorded to other young men, but by energy, self-application, and 
ceaseless activity he has succeeded in establishing a lucrative 
business.  He employs fifteen horses and seven or eight men of his own, 
besides giving employment to a large number of men and teams.  In his 
community Mr. Morgan is respected for his integrity and straight forward 
business character.

	ADAM J. GOTSHALL, president and manager of the Shamokin Lumber 
Company, was born in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county, 
Pennsylvania, February 16, 1855, son of Philip and Sarah (Yeager) 
Gotshall. He was reared in Columbia and Schuylkill counties, and learned 
the carpenter trade at Ashland, Pennsylvania.  In 1872 he came to 
Shamokin and engaged with the Mineral Railroad and Mining Company, in 
whose employ he remained until 1880, when he began contracting for 
himself, building for the Union Coal Company new breakers at the 
following collieries: Hickory Swamp, Luke Fidler, Cameron, and Hickory 
Ridge; also new breakers for William H. Douty at the Garfield colliery, 
and the new coal crusher at the Mt. Pleasant colliery for the 
Pennsylvania Crush Coal Company in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, 
and several hundred private buildings in Shamokin.  In 1589 he organized 
and obtained the charter for the Shamokin Lumber Company for the purpose 
of manufacturing lumber, and they have two mills in operation in Centre 
county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gotshall was married in 1877 to Matilda F. 
Fritz, and by this union they have six children: Mary; Edward; Holden; 
Ida; Jennie, and Mabel. In politics Mr. Gotshall is a Republican, and is 
a member of the Lutheran church.

	H. FLOYD, plumber and steam fitter, was born in Hayle, Cornwall, 
England, September 23, 1844, son of William and Elizabeth (Hendrew) 
Floyd. His early life was spent in his native town, where he learned the 
trade of machinist.  In 1864 he, in company with his cousin, emigrated 
to this country, locating at Locust Gap, where he obtained employment in 
the mines under Superintendent Benjamin Chellew, who was his uncle, 
where he remained six months.  He then obtained employment sharpening 
tools for the workmen at that time excavating the deep cut on the 
Reading railroad at Locust Gap, after which he went to Centralia, where 
he worked on inside 
	
	END OF PAGE 913 
	
repairs in the Morris Ridge colliery.  He next obtained work sharpening 
tools for the workmen driving the tunnel at Bell Tunnel mines under the 
late Richard Curnow, who soon promoted him to running the saw mill.  The 
next position filled by Mr. Floyd was breaker engineer for John Gable of 
the Reliance colliery, which he filled one year, when he obtained a 
situation in the new foundry and machine shops at Mt. Carmel.  On 
account of dullness in the business he sought employment at Catasauqua, 
and was given work at blacksmithing in the Frederick Car Works. In a 
short time he was sent for to return and take charge of the engine at 
the Reliance colliery, which position he held until he was given the 
breaker engine at the Lancaster colliery. At this period he located at 
Shamokin, where he has since resided, some nineteen years.  He was 
offered a position in the machine shops of the late John Shipp, and was 
placed in charge of the machine work of the Helfenstein breaker.  After 
completing the work he was outside foreman, and afterwards 
superintendent of the colliery, remaining here a year. He was then 
employed by Fisher & Medlar, who had purchased the Shipp works, and 
afterward worked at Mullen & Hufman's Shamokin Iron Works, the Northern 
Central railway round-house shop, and the railroad shops at Marysville 
and Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  Returning to Shamokin he did gas-
fitting for the Shamokin Gas Company, and subsequently was appointed 
superintendent.  Mr. Floyd then opened a small shop for himself, and by 
the assistance of C. P. Helfenstein and William Douty, the foundation of 
a large and lucrative business was laid.  He is the inventor of a steam 
boiler for heating purposes, and of many other inventions and 
improvements. He was married in 1867 to Amanda, daughter of Abram 
Keiper, of Shamokin, and by this union they have had ten children, five 
of whom are living: William A.; Christiana; Edward; Loretta, and Caulder 
M.  Mr. Floyd has been a member of the school board, in which he has 
filled the office of president. He is a member of Shamokin Lodge, No. 
255, F. & A.M., Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, and Prince of Peace 
Commandery, of Ashland, Pennsylvania. Politically he is a Republican.  
Mr. Floyd has succeeded in building up the largest business of its kind 
in the county, the entire capital at the start being energy and a 
determination to succeed.

	C. J. LESSIG, paper hanger and decorator, was born in Pottstown, 
Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1849, son of Michael and 
Harriet (Smith) Lessig.  He received a common school education, learned 
the trade of painter and paper hanger in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, 
removed to Pottsville in 1871, and was occupied at his trade until 1881, 
when he located at Shamokin, established the firm of Lessig & Larer, and 
engaged in the business of paper hanging and decorating.  In 1884 he 
purchased his partner's interest, and has since continued the business 
alone.  Mr. Lessig was the second to open a store of this kind in 
Shamokin, and by close attention to business has succeeded in 
establishing a lucrative trade.  He was married, 
	
	END OF PAGE 914 
	
July 17th, 1875, to Clara, daughter of Isaac Hummel, of Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania, and by this union they have had four children: Maud, 
Claude. and Emma, all deceased, and Clara. Mr. Lessig is a member of 
Shamokin Lodge. No. 255 F. & A.M., and Shamokin Chapter, No. 264; he is 
also a member of the P.O.S. of A, Camp No. 149. In politics he is a 
Republican, and in religious faith a member of St. John's Reformed 
church.

	WILLIAM HEMINGRAY, son of John and Ann (Ellis) Hemingray, was born 
in the village of Heage, Derbyshire, England, in the year 1827.  He was 
brought up as a miner, the occupation pursued by his father, and at the 
early age of eight years commenced work at the Morley Park colliery, 
carrying candles for the miners at the wages of six pence per day.  From 
this he was promoted to the position of driver and finally became a 
miner, having passed through all the intermediate positions.  In 1846 he 
immigrated to the United States and settled in Schuylkill county, 
Pennsylvania, working at various collieries.  In l850 he married Rebecca 
Chaundy, of Schuylkill county, and to this union were born two children: 
William, a colliery engineer, and Elizabeth, deceased. Our subject soon 
became a foreman of the mines, which position he filled until l873, when 
he was appointed mine inspector for the Third district, embracing the 
collieries of Northumberland, Columbia, and Dauphin counties, and a 
portion of Schuylkill county, and located in Shamokin, where he has 
since resided.  This position he filled successfully for a term of five 
years.  His excellent judgment and familiarity with the mines specially 
fitted him for this service. Upon his retirement from inspector of the 
mines, he was employed by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron 
Company to assume charge of their iron ore mines on the Hudson river.  
He was afterwards engaged for several years developing and opening coal 
mines in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.  Mr. Hemingray is a well-
read and intelligent man, and has a warm regard for his adopted country. 
He is a member of the borough school board from the Fifth ward, and, 
though not favored in his early days with more than six months' 
schooling, is an earnest friend of the school system.

	WILLIAM BOOTH was born in Yorkshire, England, February 18, 1839, 
son of James and Mary A. Booth. In 1848 his parents immigrated to this 
country and located at Llewellyn, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. and 
in l855 removed to Shamokin, where the father obtained the position of 
breaker engineer at the Lambert colliery.  He was a painter and 
stonemason by trade, but after coming to this country, and while a 
resident of Schuylkill county, was engaged in farming, and was employed 
upon the construction of the railroad bridges of the Minersville and 
Westwood railroad in 1839. He died in 1858; his widow survived him until 
1878.  They were the parents of ten children, three of whom died in 
infancy. Those living are: Sarah A., wife of Henry Van Gasken; Aquilla; 
Mary; Hannah, wife of T. J. Jones; James, of Virginia; Joseph, deceased, 
and William. The subject of this 
	
	END OF PAGE 915 
	
sketch was first employed at driving mules at the Big Mountain colliery, 
and learned the business of a miner by practical experience. In 1874 he 
was appointed mine inspector for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and 
Iron Company, which position he filled until 1882, when he was appointed 
district superintendent, and in 1884 he was promoted to division 
superintendent, which included all the mines, seventeen in number, in 
Northumberland county.  He filled this position until the autumn of 
1890, when he removed to Roanoke, Virginia. Mr. Booth was married in 
1863 to Mary E. Coder, of Shamokin, and by this union they have had the 
following children: James Nelson; Mary C.; John F.; Alida; Sarah A.; 
William B.; Edward R.; Phebe, and five who died in infancy. Mr. Booth's 
family are members of the Methodist church, and in politics he is a 
Republican.

	J. G. MEDLAR, district land agent of the Philadelphia and Reading 
Coal and Iron Company, was born at Palo Alto, Schuylkill county, 
Pennsylvania, August 7, 1849, son of John and Amanda (Dreher) Medlar.  
His early life was spent in his native town, where he was educated at 
the public schools. He learned the trade of machinist with Allison & 
Bannan, of Port Carbon. In 1871, in connection with his father, he 
purchased the machine and foundry business of John Shipp, of Shamokin, 
which they conducted two years, when the father sold his interest to 
Allison & Bannan, and the firm became Medlar, Allison & Company. Mr. 
Medlar subsequently sold his interest to William Cruikshank and removed 
to Port Carbon, where he engaged in the milling business. He remained 
there until February 1, 1879, when he accepted his present position, and 
was located at Pottsville four years, when he removed to Shamokin and 
took charge of the Northumberland district. Mr. Medlar was married in 
1882 to Emma, daughter of S. Graham, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and by 
this union they have two children: Kate G. and Alva.  While a resident 
of Port Carbon Mr. Medlar was a member of the borough council.  He is a 
member of Camp No. 149, P.O.S. of A., is steward of the Methodist church 
of Shamokin, and politically a Republican.

	WILLIAM GABLE, United States deputy revenue collector, was born 
near Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1837, son of 
John and Sarah (Hammer) Gable.  The paternal grandfather, John Gable, 
was a native of Hesse Cassel, came to this country with his parents at 
an early date, and settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania.  He entered 
the Continental army and served through the Revolutionary war.  The 
father of our subject served in the war of 1812, and afterward settled 
in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania.  The subject of this sketch was 
reared and educated in his native county, and prepared himself for the 
profession of mechanical engineer. In 1860 he enlisted in Captain 
Jenning's company at St. Clair and served through the three months' 
service, after which he returned to St. Clair.  At this time Captain 
Palmer, who was in command of the Anderson Troop, was 
	
	END OF PAGE 916 
	
authorized to raise a regiment of cavalry to perform the duties of body 
guard for General Buell.  This was organized as the Fifteenth 
Pennsylvania, better known as the "Anderson Cavalry," in honor of Major 
Robert Anderson.  Each county was allowed eight men, their acceptance 
depending upon the candidates being of perfect physique, and possessing 
qualities that go to make the gentleman.  Mr. Gable made application and 
was accepted. He participated in the second battle of Bull Run, 
Antietam, Stone River, and other engagements, advancing by promotion to 
the position of sergeant of his company.  At the close of this term of 
enlistment he joined the Army of the Cumberland under General Thomas, 
participating in all its engagements. In 1864 he was commissioned first 
lieutenant of the One Hundred and First United States Colored Infantry, 
and was located at Nashville, Tennessee until the close of the war; he 
was mustered out, June 21, 1866. He then located in Arkansas and engaged 
in the raising of cotton, where he remained until November, 1869, when 
he removed to Shamokin, and in connection with his brother engaged in 
operating the Lancaster colliery. When the Mineral Railroad and Mining 
Company was organized he was made outside superintendent, which position 
he filled until 1875, when he became general manager for the Enterprise 
Coal Company.  Here he remained until 1884, passing through all the 
troubles incident to the Molly Maguires. In 1884 he was elected by the 
Republican party to represent Northumberland county in the State 
legislature, although the county at that time was Democratic by over one 
thousand majority.  He was chairman of the pension and gratuities 
committee, and, under the rules that apply to the second member, was 
chairman on the mines and mining and geological survey committees. He 
also seconded the passage of a bill creating an additional law judge for 
this county, which was vetoed by the Governor. He was one of the 
committee of fifteen appointed by the party caucus to draft an 
apportionment bill, and was earnest in his opposition to the measure; it 
was finally passed, and was vetoed by Governor Pattison.  At the 
expiration of his term of office, he assumed the proprietorship of the 
National Hotel at Shamokin, which he conducted until October 31, 1889, 
when he was appointed to his present position of deputy United States 
revenue collection.  In 1889 he was again thc choice of his party, and 
received the nomination for member of the legislature, but, owing to the 
complication arising from the presence of a ticket placed in the field 
by the Knights of Labor, he was defeated. He is a member of Shamokin 
Lodge, No. 255, F. & A.M., also of the military order of the Loyal 
Legion, of Post No. 140, G.A.R., and the Veterans' Union.  He was 
captain and commissary of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard of 
Pennsylvania, from its organization until mustered out.

	W. A. RICHARDSON, chief clerk and cashier of the Mineral Railroad 
and Mining Company, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
August 4,1837, son of Thomas and Sarah (Abbott) Richardson.  He was 
	
	END OF PAGE 917
	
educated at the, old Ringgold school, at Moyamensing, Philadelphia. At 
the age of fourteen he entered the employ of Brown, Potter & Company, 
dry goods merchants of that city, in whose employ he remained eighteen 
months, when he accepted a position with the firm of Rowley, Ashburner & 
Company, commission merchants, with whom he remained two years. He then 
apprenticed himself to learn the trade of gold and silver spectacle 
frame making, at which he served four years, and at the expiration of 
that time followed it as an occupation four years, after which he was 
engaged on government work of various kinds.  In 1864 he accepted a 
position with J. C. Thompson's coal commission house, where he remained 
one year.  He then took charge of the paper department of the American 
Bank Note Company under his father, who was superintendent of the 
printing department, which position he filled two years. At the 
expiration of that time Mr. Richardson accepted the position of 
superintendent and paymaster of the, Luke Fidler colliery, and took up 
his residence in Shamokin. In the spring of 1871 he was offered and 
accepted a position with the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, 
where he remained six months, and then returned to Shamokin to accept 
the assistant paymastership with the Mineral Railroad and Mining 
Company, organized the previous spring, which he filled three years, 
when he was advanced to his present position. Mr. Richardson's early 
political affiliations were with the Republican party, but for the last 
eighteen years he has been a Democrat, and while he has never aspired to 
public office he has given much valuable assistance to the furtherance 
of his party's interests, and is a zealous exponent of the principles of 
the Democracy. He is president of the Building and Loan Association of 
Shamokin, and past master of Shamokin Lodge, No. 225 F. & A.M. In his 
religious belief he is an Episcopalian, and a member of Trinity church 
of Shamokin, of which he is junior warden. Mr. Richardson has been 
thrice married; his first wife was Sallie E., daughter of Jacob Weaver, 
of Philadelphia, to whom he was married in 1861; she died in 1874. By 
this marriage five children were born, all of whom are deceased.  His 
second wife was Lena Abel, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, to whom he was 
married in 1876; she died in January, 1877.  To this marriage was born 
one child, deceased. He subsequently married Ella J., daughter of the 
late R. B. Douty, who has borne him three children: Holden C.; Charles 
E., and Florence E.