Peter M. STELTZ, an esteemed and well-known farmer, of Layfield, died on New Year, aged about 55 years. He leaves a wife and two daughters, Sallie, wife of M. TROUT, and Maggie, wife of August STAUFFER, and a brother Hiram STELTZ, all of Pottstown. His only son died about five months ago. He was school director for 12 years in New Hanover township. He was buried at the Sassamansville Reformed church on Wednesday. Rev. J.E. FREEMAN, officiated.
Lizzie K. GEISINGER, daughter of Henry W. and the late Sarah GEISINGER, of Spring Mount, died last Thursday night, of consumption, at the residence of her foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.H. ORR, of Skippack, aged 16 years, 8 months and 12 days. She had been an invalid for several years and was compelled to discontinue her public school duties in consequence. She had intended to graduate from the school. The funeral was held on Monday at her late residence. Services and interment were made at the Skippack Trinity church where she was a church and Sunday school member. Rev. J.H. HENDRICKS officiated.
Mrs. Lovina YOUNG, widow of Edward YOUNG, formerly of Pennsburg, who lived with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Zephaniah WELKER, No. 465 North Charlotte street, Pottstown, died suddenly last Friday night, aged 67 years. She had been in failing health for several years but was able to attend to light household duties. Her only surviving child is Ida, wife of Mr. WELKER. Three sisters survive - Mary, wife of Peter BITTING, Fagleysville, Amanda, wife John KEPLER, Philadelphia, and Hattie, wife of Milton HETRICK, of Spinnerstown, Bucks county. The maiden name of the deceased was SWARTZ and her husband died in 1880. She lived in Pottstown since 1887, and was a member of Zions Reformed church.
Mina YERGER, wife of Franklin YERGER, of Boyertown, died on Saturday night, aged 34 years, of lung affection, with which she was suffering the past eight years. Her husband preceeded her in death. The funeral was held on Thursday.
Josiah K. HENDRICKS, of Norristown, died suddenly from heart disease at his home 615 West Main St. on Saturday afternoon. Returning from market he complained of feeling unwell and with a comment to his wife that he would lie down he went upstairs. When the wife entered the room where he had gone, a short time later, he was dead. While he had not been in the best of health recently, death was entirely unexpected. Deceased was about 51 years of age. During all his life, since he became of voting age, he was an earnest advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. He served a term in Town Council years ago, and at the time of his death was an aspirant for the nomination of Burgess of Norristown, conducting an aggressive fight and regarded as having excellent, chances of success. For some time past he had been in the employ of the Schuylkill Valley Traction Company. The wife and one child, a daughter, survive.
Mrs. Irene KRAUSS, wife of Rev. Elmer F. KRAUSS, a professor of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Chicago died Wednesday morning at the Passavant Hospital of that city. Her death was due to heart failure. Mrs. KRAUSS was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. HARTZEL, of Allentown. In 1887 she was married to Rev. KRAUSS, who is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac KRAUSS, of Kraussdale, Lehigh county. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, two sons, her parents and two brothers. One son, Winifred, aged 6 years preceeded her last July.
Jacob DILL, a life-long resident of Trumbauersville, died on Monday. His death was due to apoplexy. He died at the home of his son-in-law, Allen SHAW, of near Trumbauersville. He is survived by three sons, all residents of Quakertown, and one daughter, Mrs. Allen SHAW. The funeral will be held today. Interment on the Trumbauersville cemetery. Rev. REITER will officiate.
Charles DAUMAN, a well-known resident of Finland, died last Wednesday at the age of 70 years, 10 months and 4 days. He is survived by his widow and four children. The funeral was held on Monday at the Sumneytown church. Rev. FOX officiated.
Mrs. J. HEITZ, of Finland, died of pneumonia after an illness of two weeks. She is about 65 years of age. The funeral will be held on Monday at the Ridge Valley Reformed church. Interment on the church cemetery. Rev. H.A.I. BENNER will officiate.
F.W. KOEHLER (picture), of Lansdale, last week purchased the bakery at Quakertown, of Mahlon C. DETWILER, for $9,000. The sale includes the residence, teams, utensils, bakery and everything except the stock of flour. Mr. KOEHLER is a past-master at the art of handling dough. He at one time conducted a bakery at Collegeville from which place he came to East Greenville, where he was engaged in the business until 1894. He then sold out there to G.W. KOHLER and moved to Lansdale, where he built a large substantial residence and bakery combined and established a very successful business which he conducted, with the assistance of his sons, until the tragic death of his three children, who were almost instantly killed by being struck by the Buffalo expres just north of Lansdale in May, 1898. Soon after this distressing accident Mr. KOEHLER sold his business to Krupp & Angeny since which time he has been living a retired life. Mr. KOEHLER purchased the DETWILER bakery for his son William, who has been trained in the business under the eye of his father. The business purchased by Mr. KOEHLER was established by Mr. DETWILER about three years ago, who, by careful attention has succeeded in building up a trade in this brief time with over 800 patrons who are supplied by three and four teams every day. There is no doubt but that the business so thoroughly established by Mr. DETWILER will be maintained by Mr. KOEHLER and his son. The new owner will take possession March first.
Perkasie is highly excited over two robberies which occurred Monday night. Thieves entered the hardware store of Gilbert L. THOMPSON by putting a ladder to a second story window and then proceeded to enjoy themselves. They got one hundred and thirty gold rings, valued at half a dollar each, between two and three gross of fine penknives, emptying every box in the store; a number of pair of scissors; two dozen razors, one dozen silver knives and forks. They took nothing but the best and managed to get away with about $250 worth of goods. Later the robbers adjourned to the clothing store of Mahlon KELLAR, whose place is next door, and took about $200 worth of what they wanted - underclothing, suits, overcoats umbrellas. They all changed their clothes, from inside to outside, leaving the old ones lying on the floor. In neither place did the burglars hurry. Cigar and cigarette ashes and stumps were scattered over both places entered. The borough arc lights were turned out at 10 o'clock and the darkness was evidently the thieves opportunity. The robbers had lots of nerve, for the hostler of the hotel was sleeping only fifty yards away in direct view of the stores and the hotel itself is not that far away. During the night the hostler heard some one at the door, but did not pay any attention to it.
A gang of workmen have been busy during the past week cutting down the timber on the farm of the late Geo. GRABER near Pennsburg, recently purchased by D.R. GRABER. The timber will be cut into cord wood now and in a few weeks Henry FRY, of Oley will bring his portable saw will here and cut up the balance into marketable lumber.
R.J. KEMMERER, of Sigmund, leader of the Powder Valley Band tendered his resignation to take effect at once. Mr. KEMMERER secured employment at Harpers, Northamption county and therefore was unable to retain the position. Milton HEIL, of Power Valley will in all probability become his successor.
District President John F. RAUCH, of Red Hill, this week installed the newly elected officers of Washington Camp No. 92, P.O.S. of A., of Pottstown. Quite a large number of members were present and after the installation a banquet was served.
Oscar F. BARNDT, of Pennsburg, has been engaged by the consistory of the Pennsburg Reformed church, to serve as organist at their church. He will enter upon his new duties at the church in the early part of next month.
Samuel DIEROLF, of East Greenville, was on Monday gored by an enraged heifer which he was assisting butcher E.E. WEISS, of Pennsburg, to slaughter. He was unable to use his left arm for a number of days.
Jonathan P. HILLEGASS, of Pennsburg, is recognized as one of the largest stock dealers in this section. He, during the year 1902 handled the following amount of stock: He sold six carloads of 135 horses for $17,569.10; 18 carloads of 440 fresh and springer cows for $19,124.84; 20 carloads of 545 head of fat and stock cattle for $19,253.87; 34 carloads or 845 head of fat cattle in West Philadelphia for $36,982.33, 119 pigs for $518.75. The total are 78 carloads, 135 horses and 1842 head of cattle at $93,448.89.
The family of Francis S. HOFFMAN, of Reading, consisting of himself, wife and four children, made a narrow escape from suffocation from coal gas early Wednesday morning. HOFFMAN was roused by the barking of a dog and detected the presence of gas. After some difficulty he succeeded in wakening the rest of his family and removing them to a place of safety.
The Pennsburg Horse Insurance and Detective Company held an election at the Pennsburg Hotel on Tuesday and the following board of directors was elected to serve for the ensuing year: Charles WETZEL, Siesholtzville; Henry SCHELL, Corning; Henry SCHOENLY, Hosensack; Calvin GRABER, East Greenville; N.B. KEELY, East Greenville; C.M. REED, Pennsburg; Benneville BUTZ, Hoppenville; David HEIMBACH, Gilbertsville; Amandus WENTZEL, near Sumneytown; Daniel SLEMMER, Frederick; Abraham B. KLINE, Harleysville; Jonas HARING, Hillegass. The board organized by electing N.B. KEELY, President; H.J. SMITH, Secretary and C.M. REED, Treasurer. The appraisers named are D.K. GRABER, and Wm. DRESSLER, of Pennsburg, and Daniel B. MOYER, of Anise.
The Pennsburg Reformed Sunday school held an election on Tuesday evening. The following were elected: Superintendent, Joseph MUMBAUER; Assistant Supt., Jerome GRACE; Supt. of Primary School, F.F. HUBER; Secretary, E. Holmes SCHWARTZ; Asst. Secy., Wm. KERN; Treas., J.J. WALTER; Librarian, Leo SECHLER; Asst. Lib., Wallace DRESSLER; Asst. Organist, Celesta TRUMBORE. Board of Managers, F.F. HUBER, D.K. GRABER, Mrs. J.L. ROUSH, Mrs. Jacob FOX, Mrs. Charles SCHOENLY and Oswin TRUMBORE. Auditors, Jerome GRACE, Wilson GRABER and Leo SECHLER.
The large stone and frame barn of John DETWILER, in Black Rock, Upper Providence township, was destroyed by fire on Monday evening, together with most of the contents, including 22 cows, 4 horses, 15 tons of hay, 200 bushels of oats, farming utensils, wagons, harness, etc. The loss amounts to about $4,000, with only partial insurance. The cries of the dying animals were heard at a distance of a mile.
Edward S. HUNSICKER and John H. REX, of Norristown have resigned their seats in Council; REX because of his election as a State Legislator, and HUNSICKER because of removal from the Third ward. REX is a Republican and HUNSICKER a Democrat.
From present indications a building boom will strike the three thrifty boroughs of East Greenville, Pennsburg and Red Hill, this spring. These boroughs have steadily been growing year by year with the addition of a few houses, but as many houses, as the prospects are that will be erected during this coming summer, have not been built here for many years probably never. Town and Country would like to see twice as many go up, as the scarcity of houses in these boroughs is what retards the growth of them. There are any number of laboring people who work in our factories and silk mills and live from one to five miles from the boroughs. The reason for this is they are unable to secure homes in the boroughs to live in. There is no landlord in these boroughs who has any difficulty in renting his tenant houses, nor has he any trouble in collecting his rent. Whenever a house becomes vacant, there are generally five or six applicants for to rent it. Town and Country has endeavored to find out some of the names of the people who expect to build during the summer. Quite a few houses in the three boroughs have been erected during the fall and are at present being finished in the interior, these however will not be included in this list. The executors of the George SIESHOLTZ estate of East Greenville, have decided to cut up the entire farm, now tenanted by Daniel HEFFENTRAGER and is located in the borough of East Greenville, into building lots. They will start work as soon after April as possible. Mr. HEFFENTRAGER will tenant the house but will relinquish farming. The large barn and sheds will be razed to the ground and another street will be opened which is known as Cherry street. Along this new street building lots will be offered for sale. The following buildings will be erected in the boroughs: East Greenville - Double house on Jefferson street, by E.H. ERDMAN; double house on Jefferson street, by Fred YOUNG; double house on Jefferson street, Milton KERN; double house on Jefferson street by Thomas HOFFMAN; single house on Main street, Willoughby BIELER; single house on Broad street, by Warren FENSTERMACHER; single house on Jefferson street, by Raymond LEH. Pennsburg - Double house on Main street, by E.J. WIEDER; double house on Seminary street, by Allen HALLMAN; double house on Main street, by Horace KULP; double house on Main street, by E.K. SCHANKEL; double house on Seminary street, by Mrs. Emma SCHWARTZ; addition to Geo. HOCH's house so as to make it a double dwelling; addition to O.C. TRUMBORE's house. Red Hill - The following will erect double houses on Main street, John HARTZELL, Jacob HARTZELL, Henry TRUMP, W.H. KERN, Robert JACKSON. The following will erect single houses on Main street, A.H. BEYERS, Dr. J.A. ROTH, Wm. BUTTERWECK, Jr. Addition to the Red Hill Hotel and a French roof on the building.
Baker Christian KAUFFMAN's team of Red Hill ran away on Monday forenoon while Mr. KAUFFMAN was delivering some bread on the Depot street in East Greenville. The horses ran over towards Hillegass and when they came near HARING's hotel, five men tried to stop them but without avail. They ran towards MARKLEY's mill at breakneck speed and when near the covered bridge the horses became entangled in the line which caused them to stop. The contents of the wagon were scattered along the road, one wheel of the wagon was broken as well as every pane of glass in the wagon.
While working at a forge in the American Iron Foundry, at Lansdale, on Tuesday, Harvey BRUNNER was accidently struck in the face with a fourteen pound sledge, breaking his jaw bone in two places. The shock caused convulsions, which the physicians say may prove fatal.
Prof. R.F. HOFFECKER, county superintendent, will hold a local institute at Sumneytown some time in February. This will comprise the school districts of Green Lane, Sumneytown, Marlborough and Upper and Lower Salford.
On New Year's Day O.K. HUBER, organist of Christ's church, Trumbauersville entertained the pastors of the two congregations and the choir. At one end of the table where the pastors were seated was an immense cake, bearing the inscription, "Christ's Church, Trumbauersville, Rev. D.H. REITER and Rev. H.A.I. BENNER, pastors. A Happy New Year to all." At the opposite end, where was seated Mr. HUBER was a similar cake bearing the inscription, "Christ's church, Trumbauersville Choir, O.K. HUBER, organist. A Happy New Year to all." After dinner addresses were made by Rev. H.A.I. BENNER and Rev. D.H. REITER. A.H. TRUMBAUER, Esq., also made addresses. Mr. TRUMBAUER is the oldest member of the choir and has been connected with it for thirty-four years. To these Mr. HUBER responded. Mr. HUBER has been the organist of that church for the last fourteen years and has been eminently successful in keeping the choir together. The following were present: Mr. and Mrs. O.K. HUBER, Rev. and Mrs. D.H. REITER, Rev. and Mrs. H.A.I. BENNER, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron G. DUBBS, Mr. and Mrs. Serapion SHUP, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson WISLER, Mr. and Mrs. Henry MERKEL, Mr. and Mrs. A.H. TRUMBAUER, Mr. and Mrs. Albert KRAFT, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas DETWEILER, Mr. and Mrs. Harry DETWEILER, Misses Pearl HUBER, Ella HUBER, Nettie TRUMBAUER, Elsie ECKER, Ida NACE, Ida TRUMBAUER, Adda TRUMBAUER, Ella CHRISTMAN, Clara SCHEETZ, Flora DUBBS, and Jennie REITER, Messrs. Clarence HUBER, William HUBER, Harold HUBER, Percy HUBER and Elmer JARRET.
Over 1500 marriage licenses were issued at Reading, Berks county, during 1902. This breaks all records and exceeds the previous year's by exactly 100. The marriage license law went into effect in October, 1885, and from that time to the close of the year 21,067 permissions to marry have been given. That means that the marriage records of 42,134 persons are on file in the courthouse. The year just closed was a record-breaker in divorces as well as in matrimony. There were 116 divorces granted, whis was one divorce for every thirteen weddings. One hundred and thirty-eight new divorce suits were brought during the year.
Dr. Charles B. DOTTERER, of Hill Church, Berks county, has taken charge of Dr. G.A. WEIDA's practice, of Frederick, while the doctor is at Harrisburg. Dr. DOTTERER is a graduate of the Medico Chirurgical college, Philadelphia, and served on the staff of resident physicians of the hospital connected with that college for six months.
Throwing a bedsheet over the dresser and gas fixture, Joseph BRYNE, an advertising solicitor, of 510 West 183d street, New York, is alleged by the police to have attempted suicide on Friday by turning on the gas. He was discovered at an Allentown boarding house by his room-mate unconscious, and is in a precarious condition.
Charles MILLER, whose real name is alleged to be Oscar SCHMOYER, was arrested at Delaware Water Gap, on Friday, charged with misappropriating $449 and with marrying Mrs. Hannah VAN WHY on December 4 last under an assumed name. He was sent to jail in default of $400 bail. He later returned the money and agreed not to hinder Mrs. VAN WHY in securing a divorce and was released.
Michael TEDDY, of Norristown, an employee at the steel plant near Conshohocken was instantly killed by a train on the Pennsylvania Railroad while crossing the tracks. His body was badly mangled. He is about 50 years old and leaves a wife and three children.
Overcome by the cold while on his way home from a social call late Friday night Mahlon WISE, a well-known farmer of Lower Pottsgrove, was found along the roadside in an unconscious condition and nearly frozen to death by W.H. LEIDY, of New Hanover, early Saturday morning. It was an hour before he could be resuscitated.
Robert M. HASSLER, of 324 North Jordon St., and Reuben STERNER, of 109 North Front St., committed suicide at Allentown on Sunday afternoon. HASSLER was picked up on the street helplessly drunk and taken to the lockup, where he later was found dead. He made a noose of the belt of his drawers and with it he strangled himself. His body was removed to his home. He is about 46 years of age. The man's family and friends were shocked and his wife is prostrated. She is left with six young children. He was not a drinking man. He left home Sunday morning to go to a barber shop. It is supposed he fell in with some downtown resorts and that when he became intoxicated they basely deserted him. HASSLER was regarded as a good husband and father. His friends are of the opinion that after spending a few hours in his cell he became sufficiently sober to realize the plight into which he got himself and in worrying over the disgrace resolved to end it all then and there. In a time book which was found in one of his coat pockets a note was scribbled in a very unsteady hand, the greater part of which can not be deciphered. Part of the note reads: "Remember me when I am dead. You don't know how I suffer." An Old Man's Suicide - After being despondent for 17 years Reuben STERNER committed suicide Sunday afternoon at the home of his son George, 109 North Front street. He had frequently intimated that he possessed thoughts of ending his life, and a close watch was kept on him. After dinner he again made peculiar remarks to his granddaughter, Mrs. Annie CLAUSS, who lives near by, and his money and razor were taken from him. Another razor belonging to the son could not be found. The son took his usual Sunday afternoon nap. About 6 o'clock the granddaughter, having had a premonition, went to the house and finding it locked had the rear door forced. The old man's rocking chair was empty. His clothes closet three feet wide and 10 inches deep was opened. There was his body, hanging by a thin copper wire. His son, who was still sleeping in another part of the house, was aroused. A further investigation revealed the fact that the suicide had before going into the closet cut himself in both arms just above the elbow. The cutting was evidently done while sitting in the chair as the quilt with which the chair was covered was stained with blood, and a blood-stained razor, the one that could not be found earlier, in the day, lying on a small table. Mr. STERNER was 86 years of age and years ago was worth $40,000.
A double wedding was witnessed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob HENDRICKS at Steinsburg. The contracting parties were Addison HENDRICKS and Mamie ROSENBERGER, both of Perkasie; and John HENDRICKS, of Allentown, and Miss Elnora ROAHRBACH, of Sigmund. Rev. Joseph FREED, of East Greenville, performed the ceremony. After congratulations, all present partook of a bouneous wedding dinner. The bridal pairs were the recipients of handsome presents.
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