Union Hill Cemetery

Charles Douglas "C.D." Miner was born on Aug. 29, 1845 in the Miner family home on West Broadway in Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, PA, the son of Elias and Mary (Cook) Miner. 

C.D. moved as a young man to Weissport, Carbon County to ply his trade. In 1860, when the census was taken, C.D. boarded at the hotel of German-born Joseph Feist in Weissport, and worked in the stone industry. He is believed to have labored in his father's foundry, owned by Lippincott, Miner & Albright as a man of 20, during the final year of the Civil War. He learned the ins and outs of the trade, and later worked at a foundry in White Haven, Luzerne County, PA.

He married school teacher Sarah "Alice" Schofield (1855-1896), a native of Paoli, Chester County, PA, and the daughter of Jane (Johnson) Schofield of Durham, Bucks County, PA. Their wedding took place on Oct. 24, 1877. 

In a short article, the Carbon Advocate reported: "MARRIED, MINER-SCHOFIELD.--On the 24th ult., by Rev. J.C. Bliem, of Lehighton, Mr. C.D. Miner, of Weissport formerly of Mauch Chunk, and Miss S.A. Schofield, of Weissport, formerly of Chester Valley, Chester County, Pa. No cards. Chester county papers, please copy."

The Miners together bore a brood of nine children -- Harry Douglass Miner, Amy V. Miner, Chester Allen Miner, Mary Frances "Fannie" Miner, Ellen Hazel "Ella" Mertz, Clair A. Miner, Anna Catherine "Annie" Knerr, Ivan Bauman Miner and Jane Elizabeth Stoll. They made their permanent home in Weissport, Franklin Township.

Mauch Chunk Coal Gazette, May 31, 1872

As a supporter of the Democratic political party in Lehighton, he took part in a "very large and enthusiastic meeting" in October 1876, reported the Carbon Advocate:

A large procession was formed with men equipped with hats, capes and torches, who proceeded to the L. & S. depot, where they received a large delegation from Mauch Chunk, and the speakers of the evening. The procession, headed by the Phoenix Band, then paraded through this and our sister borough of Weissport, after which they assembled in the large hall of our school house.... The following gentlemen were appointed vice presidents: Jos. Obert, Wm. Waterbore, Douglas Miner, Isaac Bagenstose, M.L. Johnson and John Miller... The speakers were frequently interrupted with tremendous shouts of applause, the greatest enthusiasm prevailing during the entire evening. It was one of the largest and most orderly meetings ever held in Lehighton.

Following in the steps of their entrepreneurial father, C.D. and his brother William established the Fort Allen Foundry in Weissport in 1874. C.D. would have been age 29 at the time. The foundry "prospered for a time, but has now been closed for many years," wrote Fred Brenckman in his 1913 book, History of Carbon County. 

The company placed advertisements in the Mauch Chunk Coal Gazette, stating that they were manufacturers and merchants of bar iron, band iron and scroll iron: "COAL OPERATORS and others needing a uniformly good Iron will do well to order from us. Small Rails for use about mines furnished upon short notice. N.B. Cast and wrought Scrap purchased at all times for cash or taken in trade." Whether or not the company was impacted negatively by the efforts of the Molly Maguires, a radical labor organizing group, is not yet known, though four of the members were hanged in Mauch Chunk in 1877 for murder.

A lengthy February 1879 profile of the foundry, in the Advocate, said that C.D. and his brother William were "two enterprising young men ... both practical moulders and skilled in the various details of the making of castings."

They took a risk in their investment, "with a capital so small that men with less courage would have shrunk from the undertaking even in promising times," said the Advocate. "[D]uring the recent panic, when hundreds of foundries run by corporations and stock companies, all over the country, have closed their doors for lack of remunerative orders, the Fort Allen Foundry has been  kept steadily going, and at present writing is turning out plumbers' castings, pumps and fancy fountains, the castings for a half dozen different sewing and knitting machine companies, while from one to three men are kept constantly employed on miscellaneous home orders or job work. No piece of works leaves the foundry until it has been thoroughly inspected by one of the proprietors and found perfect."

The Miners lived in Weissport, Carbon County circa 1880, in a dwelling next to those of his parents and brother William.

In 1881, Miner Bros. was featured, and C.D. and his father and brother William named, in the book Manufacturing and Mercantile Resources of the Lehigh Valley.

The company found itself embroiled in a local political controversy in the spring of 1881. When a key piece of mail containing a check did not arrive, and knowing that a Democrat recently had been appointed postmaster of Weissport, the Miner brothers instructed their correspondents to send mail instead to nearby Lehighton. The company even employed a mail messenger to personally pick up the mail to assure proper arrival. Postmaster William H. Knecht responded that the letter in question had a key misspelling on the envelope and thus he returned it to the sender, rather than making sure it got into the right hands anyway. 

Stationery of the era shows that the company advertised itself as "manufacturers of all descriptions of light and medium castings." One of their letterhead graphics is reproduced in Thomas D. Eckhart's book, The History of Carbon County, volume iv.

Carbon Advocate, Sept. 18, 1886

Personnel troubles at the foundry arose in the winter of 1886-1887, when the company rejected a lowball contract with W.S. Carr of New York City, for making steam valves, and had to lay off 25 employees as a result. At around that same time, the brothers placed a legal advertisement in the Advocate, stating they would not pay any debts agreed to by anyone else, and "not to trust any one on our account." 

Unfortunately, the firm dissolved in March 1887. The Carbon Advocate reported that the C.D. would take over the foundry work, saying "It is expected that the full force of workmen will be put on at an early day." Brother William and family then moved to Lower Slatington, Lehigh County, where he endeavored to erect a new foundry and machine shop on Centre Street south of Chestnut, and then in 1889 further moved to Philadelphia. 

C.D. continued to cultivate his farm in Franklin Township, and in late July 1888 sent a bundle of oats to the editors of the Advocate. They "measured 6 feet, 2 inches in length" reported the newspaper. "If any of our other farmer friends can do better, we would like to hear from them."

When the Johnstown Flood disaster struck in late May 1889, C.D. was shocked and deeply grieved to learn about the massive loss of life. He made a charitable donation of $5, which was forwarded from the First National Bank to Philadelphia banker Drexel and thence to the relief fund for survivors. "This makes about $100 contributed by our people through lodges and otherwise," said the Carbon Advocate. 

The Miner plant, now under C.D.'s management, caught fire in November 1890. A group of local citizens ran to the scene and helped keep the fire contained so it would not spread to other buildings. In the summer of 1892, the foundry manufactured frames for the Singer sewing machine company's "Favorite Singer" model. D.C. obtained a finished product and showed it to friends. Said the Advocate, "The machine is to be introduced here and will sell at $20 and be guaranteed. You should see this machine before buying any other."

The Lehighton Press once said that Alice was "well known in this locality, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. She was a kind and loving mother and a good wife, and was ever ready to do anything that would in any way comfort her friends and neighbors."

Suffering from heart trouble, Alice passed away in June 1896, at the age of 41, having borne nine offspring. The Lehighton Press said that her final illness "was painful but was not deemed to be of fatal character, and her death is all the more surprising and has cast a gloom over the entire neighborhood in which she was known so well and so greatly loved. The greatest sympathy is expressed by all for the bereaved family and relatives of the deceased." After a funeral held in the Miner home, her remains were taken to Union Hill Cemetery for burial, followed by services in the Weissport Evangelical Church, led by Rev. J.F. White. 

In a printed eulogy, the Lehighton Press said that Alice's death was a "particularly sad one. She leaves behind besides her sorrowing husband, mother, sisters and brother, nine children, most of whom are too young to realize that their tender and loving mother has finished her earthly pilgrimage and entered upon her eternal rest." Continuing in its sorrowful praise, the Press added: 

Mrs. Miner was a patient sufferer during the few months she was ill, and bore all her bodily afflictions with a Christian spirit, and while surrounded by her loved ones she fell asleep in the arms of Jesus. Thus passed away a tender and loving wife, mother and daughter. The angel of the household is gone. The vacant chair is substituted for the sweet smile and loving form, but the grieving ones have the satisfaction of knowing that they will meet her again when they shall have entered upon eternal life.

Alice's untimely death left C.D. as a widower at the age of 51 with nine mouths to feed. When the census was taken in 1900, he and all of the children lived under his roof in Weissport. Among the family occupations that year, Charles was a machinist, Harry a compositor, Chester a day laborer, and Mary, Ellen and Clair winders at the local silk mill. 

In August 1904, D.C.'s mother in law, Jane Schofield, passed away at the age of 75 in Easton, Northampton County. She had moved there earlier that year, having lived for many years in Weissport. D.C. and the children, including married son Chester and his wife, attended the funeral in Easton, which was followed by burial at the Straw Church Cemetery in New Jersey.

C.D. spent his final years living at 422 South Third in Lehighton, and is thought to have married again. He died there after an affliction of cholera and a stroke at the age of 69 on Sept. 27, 1914, having suffered for several years.

Burial was in Weissport's Union Cemetery, with the funeral led by Rev. L.S. Stahl of Weissport and Rev. Edwin C. Krapf of Lehighton. Son Harry signed the death certificate. A long obituary was published in the Mauch Chunk Daily News, and a shorter one was printed in the Allentown Morning Call newspaper several days later. 

The Miners later were joined in death and burial by their adult children Amy, Fannie and Clair. They all rest together in the Miner family plot in the Union Cemetery. The grouping of graves receives perpetual care from the cemetery caretakers.

~ Son Harry Douglass Miner ~

Son Harry Douglass Miner (1878-1958) was born on July 28, 1878 in Weissport.

As a young boy, he remembered many years later as an old man, he watched as printing machinery and equipment was unloaded from a flatboat at the Weissort canal wharf, near the bridge, "not realizing then that I would make printing my life work." On May 12, 1893, when he was age 15, Harry joined working staff of the weekly Lehighton Press newspaper, owned by Robert David McCormick, and remained there for 54 years. He resided at 136 North Third Street in Lehighton in 1918, when he registered for the military draft. 

He married Della Irene Kuhns (1888-1987) at Lehighton on Oct. 19, 1915, when he was age 37, and she 26. She was the daughter of William S. and Mary Alice (Rhoads) Kuhns of Lehighton. He marked his occupation as "printer" on his marriage license. 

They were the parents of two children, Alice Kannapel and William Miner.

When the federal census was taken in 1930, the Miners lived in Lehighton in a house on South First Street, with Harry employed as a typesetter in the printing firm. Later, they relocated to 244 Second Street.

He took on the duties of news reporter in later years. The Press published its final edition on Christmas Day 1947, with Harry as one of the final three employees, along with linotypist Alice Heintzelman and columnist Mary (McCormick) McCray. The Press shop, located at 131 North 1st Street, used a sheet-fed, eight-page Huber Printing Press, built in Taunton, MA. 

Suffering from hardening of the arteries and diabetes, Harry died instantly of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 79 on April 3, 1958. Interment was in Lehighton Cemetery.

Della died in Weatherly, Carbon County on April 12, 1987, at the age of 99.

Daughter Alice Miner (1919-1998) was born in  1919. She studied at the Easton Hospital School of Nursing. In her career, she was employed by the Lehighton Area School District as a nurse. She also worked for Carbon County Visiting Nurses. She married Irving N. Kannapel ( ? - ? ). Later in life, she made her home in Fairfax, Fairfax County, VA. Their children were Irving N. Kannapel, Karen Howells and Tina Kannapel. She died at Fairfax Hospital on Jan. 20, 1998 at the age of 78, with her obituary appearing in the Allentown Morning Call.

Son William Miner (1926-1980) was born in February 1926. He died in 1980, at age 54. Nothing more is known.

~ Daughter Amy V. Miner ~

Daughter Amy V. Miner (1879-1933) was born on Dec. 7, 1879.  

She apparently never married.

When the federal census was taken in 1920, the 40-year-old Amy and several of her adult siblings lived together in Lehighton, on South Third Street, next door to their brother Chester and his large family. Amy had no occupation that year, but her single sister Fannie held a job as a weaver in a silk mill, and brother in law Henry W. Wertz was a laborer in a local cement works. 

In 1930, she continued her living arrangement with the Mertzes in Lehighton. 

Amy endured hypertension and heart disease in middle age. She died of their effects on Sept. 26, 1933, just 11 days before what would have been her 54th birthday. She was interred beside her parents in the family plot in Weissport's Union Cemetery. The word "daughter" was inscribed on the face of her grave marker.

~ Son Chester Allen Miner ~

Son Chester Allen Miner (1881-1954) was born on Jan. 3, 1881 in Weissport or Lehighton, Carbon County.

He was of medium build and height, with brown hair and blue eyes in adulthood

Chester entered into marriage with Mayme Amelia Wertman (1884-1966), daughter of Philip L. and Sarah (Fenstermaker) Wertman, in Lehighton, Carbon County. Their wedding took place on Nov. 8, 1902, by the hand of Rev. E.H. Kistler, in the parsonage of the Bethany United Evangelical Church of Lehighton. Chester was age 21, and Mayme 18, at the time of marriage. Said the Lehighton Press, "The ceremony was performed at the residence of the pastor after which a reception was held at the residence of the bride's brother, William Wertman, on North Third street. The festivities were attended by a number of relatives who showered congratulations upon the happy couple." 

Their seven known children were Floyd Phillip Miner Sr., Gerald Irvin Miner, Gladys Sarah Noll, Hayden C. Miner, William W. "Bud" Miner, Mary Elizabeth Jones and Allen Douglass Miner. 

In June 1903, Mayme delivered their first child, Floyd, "a bouncing baby boy," said the Press. Another son, Gerald, was born in October 1906, an event also announced in the Press. The federal census of 1910 shows the Miners living in Lehighton, with Chester employed as an engineer in a power house. 

With World War I raging in Europe, Chester was required to register for the military draft in September 1918. At the time, he was employed as a machine repairman with New Jersey Zinc Company in Palmerton and lived at 432 South Third Street in Lehighton. Palmerton was a model company town built to serve New Jersey Zinc employees, providing houses, banks, medical care facilities, parks, playgrounds and schools. It was intended as a counter-balance to the risks of working in the dangerous smelter. Many of the buildings still remain, including the community park and bandstand.

In 1920, Chester worked as an oiler with the zinc works, and lived next door to his unmarried sisters Amy and Fannie Miner and married sister Ella Mertz.

The Miners were members of the Zion United Church of Christ in Lehighton. Chester was a member of the Lehigh Fire Company and Order of Orioles in Lehighton. He later obtained employment as an engineer for the Baer Company silk mill for 31 years, and retired in August 1949 when he became ill.

Above and below, Chester's workplaces, New Jerzey Zinc in Palmerton and the Baer silk mill in Lehighton. Library of Congress

Obituary, 1954

In 1952, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Their address in the 1950s was at 432 South Third Street in Lehighton.

Chester spent his final years living in Hamburg State Sanatorium in rural Windsor, Berks County, PA. Felled by a pulmonary abscess, he passed away there on Nov. 14, 1954, age 73. His obituary was printed in a local newspaper, which noted that he "had been bedfast the last year."

Mayme outlived him by a dozen years. She died at home at the age of 82 in 1966. They rest together in the Gnaden Huetten Cemetery in Lehighton. 

Son Floyd Phillip Miner Sr. (1903-1992) was born in June 1903. In 1930, unmarried and age 26, he lived at home with his parents and operated machinery at the local zinc company. He married Marguerite L. Miller (1912-2004), daughter of Minard M. and Edna R. (Kelper) Miller of Lehighton. They had one son, Floyd P. Miner II, and resided in Lehighton. Marguerite spent 13 years in employment as librarian with the Lehighton Memorial Library. She also was a teacher in the Sunday School class of the Zion United Church of Christ in Lehighton. Floyd passed away in Lehighton on Jan. 28, 1992. Marguerite died at the age of 92, in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lehighton, on Oct. 15, 2004. She was laid to rest with Floyd in the Lehighton Cemetery.

• Grandson Floyd P. Miner II ( ? - ? )

Son Gerald Irvin Miner (1906-1988) was born in October 1906 in Lehighton. He married Harriet E. Dreisbach, and they had one daughter, Vivian Sharga. Gerald was a graduate of Drexel University. When the federal census was taken in 1930, he lived under his parents' roof in Lehighton and worked as a transit man for the state highway. He stayed for 10 years with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and later was hired by Pennsylvania Power & Light, serving there as chief right-of-way agent. During World War II, he was a member of the Seabees of the U.S. Navy. The family made their home in Allentown, at 2136 Gordon Street and later at 1600 Lehigh Parkway East. Gerald died at the age of 81 on or about Feb. 28, 1988. His obituary appeared in the Allentown Morning Call. Gerald kept a diary which is referenced in family notes.

• Granddaughter Vivian Miner ( ? - ? ) married Joseph A. Sharga ( ? - ? ), and they lived in Allentown.

Daughter Gladys Sarah Miner (1908-1991) was born on April 18, 1908 in Lehighton. She was a 1925 graduate of Lehighton High School. She married Wilson C. Noll (1906-1981) on Nov. 9, 1929 at Lehighton's Zion's Reformed Church, with Rev. Paul R. Pontius officiating. Wilson was a native of Chicago, but when his parents died young, he moved to Allentown, where he graduated in 1926 from Allentown High School. Wilson was employed at the time of marriage as a compositor with the Allentown Morning Call newspaper. The couple had two children, Carl Wilson Noll and Phyllis Hull. Gladys lived in Allentown circa 1966-1988. Wilson passed away at age 75 in 1981. Gladys outlived him by a decade. She died on Nov. 6, 1991.

Son Hayden C. Miner (1912-2000) was born on Oct. 15, 1912 in Lehighton. At the age of 26, he married 23-year-old Lillian V. Mengle (1915-1991), daughter of Gurney and Jennie (Hill) Mengle, on Oct. 1, 1938. They had one daughter, Linda Dunbar. The Miners resided in Weissport and later in Weatherly. Circa 1930, Hayden was a printer's apprentice in a local printing company. He went on to a longtime career as a printer with the Lehighton Evening Leader and later the Lehighton Times News. They were members of the Jacobs United Church of Christ in Weissport, and Hayden also was a member of Lehighton Fire Company No. 1. Lillian passed away on July 10, 1991. Hayden outlived his wife, and resided in Weissport. He spent his final years in Weatherwood, in Weatherly, Carbon County. He died on Jan. 15, 2000, at the age of 87. An obituary in the Lehighton Times said he was survived by three grandsons and three great-granddaughters. They are buried in Gnaden Huetten Cemetery in Lehighton. 

• Granddaughter Linda Miner ( ? - ? ) married Melvin Dunbar ( ? - ? ), and they lived in Palmerton, PA circa 2000.

Son William W. "Bud" Miner (1919-1992) was born in Lehighton. He married Roberta Schook (1916-2008), the daughter of Thomas and Alvinia (Troxel) Schook of Lansford, PA, in September 1941. They did not reproduce. The couple were members of the Zion United Church of Christ in Lehighton, where William was an elder and deacon. He also was a member of the Masons Lodge of Towson, MD. William was employed as a sales supervisor for Martin-Marietta Corporation in Baltimore, MD, working there for four decades, and retiring in 1976. Roberta also was an employee at Martin Marietta, working as a record keeper for 10 years, from 1950 to 1960. She was a secretary of the board of the Lehighton Womens Club. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in September 1991. William died at home at 401 South 8th Street in Lehighton on or about New Year's Day 1992. His obituary appeared in the Lehighton Times News and in the Allentown Morning Call on Jan. 2, 1992. In her final years, Alberta went to live in the Phoebe Home in Allentown. She died on Feb. 3, 2008, at the age of 92. They are buried in the Gnaden Huetten Cemetery in Lehighton.

Daughter Mary Elizabeth Miner (1919- ? ) was born on Nov. 19, 1919 in Lehighton. At the age of 21, she wed Quinton P. Jones (1913-1996), son of John X. and Cora (Hough) Jones, three days after Christmas 1940. They had one daughter, Lucille Kokinda. During World War II, Quinton served with the U.S. Army in Europe. Later, he was a coal miner for Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company in Lansford up until the time of its closure in 1955. He then worked at Lehighton's Third Ward School as a custodian. He also was secretary for the Fraternal Order of Orioles Lodge in Lehighton for half a century. They made their home at 432 South 3rd Street in Lehighton, and were married for 55 years. Quinton died in Gnaden Huetton Hospital on Feb. 16, 1996, with his obituary printed in the Allentown Morning Call.

• Granddaughter Lucille Jones ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Kokinda ( ? - ? ).

Son Allen Douglass Miner (1922-1999) was born on Sept. 14, 1922 in Lehighton. His wife was Marion M. Ebert ( ? - ? ), whom he married on Jan. 12, 1946. Their two children were Margaret Gaul and Judy Lee Hercik. Allen lived in Baltimore, MD and in Bethlehem, Northampton County, PA in 1992. He died in Muhlenberg Hospital in Bethlehem, PA on Nov. 24, 1999.

• Granddaughter Margaret Miner ( ? - ? ) married (?) Gaul ( ? - ? )

• Granddaughter Judy Lee Miner ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with (?) Hercik ( ? - ? ).

~ Daughter Mary Frances "Fannie" Miner ~

Daughter Mary Frances "Fannie" Miner (1882-1948) was  born on April 19, 1882 in Weissport. She apparently never married.

In 1914, at the age of 32, she was single and resided under her father's roof, and that year was named in his newspaper obituary. By the 1940s, her address was 1451 Hazard Road in Palmerton, Carbon County, where she shared a home with Walter R. Merkel.

Suffering from diabetes which led to gangrene of one or more of her limbs, Fannie was admitted to Allentown General Hospital. There, she died at the age of 65 on Feb. 22, 1948. Her companion signed the death certificate.

Her remains were placed into eternal rest in the family plot at Weissport's Union Cemetery. The word "sister" was inscribed on the face of the marker.

~ Daughter Ellen Hazel "Ella" (Miner) Mertz ~

Daughter Ellen Hazel "Ella" Miner (1883-1943) was born on June 17, 1883 in Weissport.

On Dec. 7, 1916, at Weissport, the 33-year-old Ella married 24-year-old Henry Wilson Mertz (1893-1963), who was nine years younger than she, and the son of German immigrants Henry R. and Bertha (Voll) Mertz. At the time of marriage, Ella was a weaver, and Henry was a mason, living at Weissport. 

Mertz & Miner sidewalk block Courtesy Sherry (Ohl) Hoffman

The four children born to this union were Horace Douglas Mertz, Hazel Adele Fogel, Betty Jane Ohl and Robert Henry Mertz. 

In 1920, the Mertzes made their home with Ella's unmarried sisters Amy and Fannie at 436 South Third Street in Lehighton. That year, Henry's occupation was a laborer in a local cement works. Also living in the household was Ella's niece, Dorothy R.D. David, born 1906.

When the census was taken again in 1930, the family home was still on South Third Street, with Ella's sister Amy and niece Dorothy David (a seamstress in a clothing factory) living under their roof. By that time, Henry had become proprietor of the Miner-Mertz cement and cinder block factory in Lehighton. The sidewalks he installed in town are marked" Miner-Mertz Cement" and "Mertz & Miner."

By the 1960s, Henry's address was at the home of his daughter Betty at 131 Millway Street in Lehighton.

Ella was afflicted with heart disease and diabetes, and endured the amputation of both of her legs. She died at the age of 60 on July 28, 1943. Her remains were buried at Bunker Hill Cemetery in Weissport, possibly also known as St. Mathew's.

Henry survived his wife by a number of years. He died of bronchial pneumonia and emphysema on Nov. 21, 1963, at age 70. His interment was made in St. Mathew's Cemetery in North Weissport.

Son Horace Douglas Mertz (1918-1976) was born in 1918 in Lehighton, Carbon County, PA. He had no children and died in January 1976 at the age of 58.

Daughter Hazel Adele Mertz (1921-1972) was born in 1921. She was wedded to (?) Fogel. The couple did not reproduce. She passed into eternity in 1972.

Daughter Betty Jane Mertz (1925- ? ) was born on Sept. 7, 1925. On Dec. 7, 1946, when she was age 21, she married Arthur F. Ohl (1913-1970). They produced two sons -- Robert Franklin Ohl and Barry Lee Ohl. During World War II, Arthur served in the U.S. Army and took part in European Theatre operations, receiving five Bronze Star medals. In 1963, their address was 131 Millway Street in Lehighton. Sadly, Arthur died on April 13, 1970.

• Grandson Robert Franklin Ohl (1947-2002) was born on April 16,1947. He played the trombone in his high school marching band and always enjoyed marching band music. He served as a corpsman and medic in the Navy and Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and received a Purple Heart. While on leave in Honolulu, on July 29, 1968, at the age of 21, he married his girlfriend Brenda Lois Neeb (July 9, 1948-living), who had flown there so they could tie the knot. The Ohls made their home in Lehighton and had three children -- Steven Ohl, Bradley Ohl and Sherry Ohl. They were members of the Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton. Robert was a graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, was a Franklin Township supervisor, a member of the Franklin Township Police Department and Lions Club, and a life member of the Franklin Township Fire Company. He went on to become a well-established businessman in Lehighton, forming R.F. Ohl Fuel Company in Lehighton in 1984 and engaging in water drilling from 1992 to 1996. Said a niece, he was "loved by all." In July 2002, he and Brenda celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary. The following month, Robert passed away at the age of 55, from clots on his lungs, on Aug. 23, 2002. An obituary was published in the Allentown Morning Call newspaper.

  Great-grandson Steven "Steve" Ohl ( ? -living) was joined in wedlock with Kimberly. His sons are Ivan Ohl and Nathan Ohl.

  Great-grandson Bradley Ohl ( ? -living) is the father of Faith Ohl and twins Laurel Ohl and Robert Ohl.

  Great-granddaughter Sherry Ohl (1978-living) was born in 1978. On June 28, 2003, she entered into marriage with Jared Hoffman ( ? -living). Three children born into this family are Megan Hoffman, Jocelyn Hoffman and Sawyer Hoffman. Sherry graciously has shared important content for this biography.

• Grandson Barry Lee Ohl (1950-2008) was born on Sept. 20, 1950. During the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S. Army in 1971 and was assigned to European operations, concluding in 1974. He passed away in March 2008.

Son Robert Henry Mertz (1928-2008) was born in 1928. He married Jackie (?) and resided in Horsham, PA. The couple had an only daughter, Ellen Marie Yoesron. He taught automotive technology at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) from 1966 to 1988. He had a very positive impact on the lives of many of his students. Naturally mechanically inclined, he got involved with mechanics during his time in the Army in Okinawa, where he worked in the motor pool on trucks during the Korean conflict. In 1965, the newly formed Eastern Montgomery County Vocational Technical School sought  teachers, and Robert was one of the first to be employed in automotive technology. He was also hired by the State of Pennsylvania to teach and test persons for state inspections of vehicles. Afflicted with a bad knee, the joint was replaced, but became infected. He died on March 27, 2008. 

• Granddaughter Ellen Marie Mertz (1958-living) was born in 1958. She is a true and legitimate princess. On April 12, 1980, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glenside, PA, she married Tubagus Jaya Rachmat Yoesron bin Gozali, shortened to "Rachmat Yoesron" and familiarly "Macha" and "Mat." He was born as future King of Banten, Indonesia, the son of Elang Yoesron bin Gozali and nrtu Maryana Soleh Yoesron bin Gozali, the Royal Family of Banten, Indonesia. Ellen was formally installed as princess on Aug. 12, 1981. Her formal name as princess is Nrtu Ellen Marie Mertz Yoesron Gozali. The term "bin" in her husband's name means "of sultan blood." She writes: "If a monarchy of government were still viable, he would be King and I, his Queen. Proper handshakes with a bow and great respect are still bestowed upon us." The pair resided in Glenside, PA and stayed together through the thick and thin of nearly 44 years. They did not reproduce. Sadly, Rachmat died at the age of 70 on Feb. 8, 2024. A Christian funeral service was held at St. John's Lutheran Church of Hatboro, PA and a blended service in his traditional faith. Burial was in Whitemarsh Memorial Park Cemetery.

~ Son Clair S. Miner ~

Son Clair A. Miner (1884-1953) was born in September 1884. He apparently never married.

Clair lived at home with his father in Lehighton in 1914. By the 1950s, he made his residence at 1217 North 9th Street in Reading, Berks County. He earned a living as a "dyer," apparently in local garment works.

For four-plus decades, Clair suffered from diabetes. The illness grew worse and he displayed symptoms of psychosis. In August 1946, his right leg became infected with gangrene was amputated at the thigh. He never fully recovered, and in February 1953 was admitted to the Wernersville State Hospital in South Heidelberg Township, Berks County.

On April 29, 1953, Clair died in the Wernersville hospital at the age of 69. His remains were brought back to Carbon County and were buried in the plot of Miner family graves at Weissport's Union Cemetery. The word "Son" was etched on the face of the marker.

~ Daughter Annie C. (Miner) Knerr ~

Daughter Anna Catherine "Annie" Miner (1888-1968) was born on Feb. 5, 1888 in Weissport.

In 1920, she was unmarried and held the occupation of a weaver in a silk mill in Lehighton. She boarded in the home of her unmarried sister Amy and married sister and brother in law, Ella and Henry W. Mertz. 

Annie resided in Easton, Northampton County circa 1914.

At the age of 51, in 1949, she married Albert E. Knerr ( ? - ? ).

Annie in widowhood resided with Mrs. Donald W. Brown in Easton at the address of 2829 Parkridge Road

Toward the end of her life, Annie was admitted to the Eastwood Convalescent Home in Wilson, PA. Burdened with hypertension, she was felled by a heart attack and died there at the age of 79 on Jan. 3, 1968. Her remains were interred in the Northampton Memorial Shrine.

~ Son Ivan Bauman Miner ~

Son Ivan Bauman Miner (1892-1954) was born in New Year's  Day 1892 in Weissport, Carbon County. 

As a young man, he lived in Lehighton, Carbon County, and was employed as a mill hand. 

On Feb. 12, 1913, when he was age 21 and she 17, he was united in matrimony with fellow mill hand Mabel Irene Dorwood/Dorward (Aug. 20, 1895-1951).

They together prouced four children -- Marvin Ivan Miner, Willard Harry Miner, Della Jane Miner and Lester Thomas Miner. 

The year following their marriage, in 1914, Ivan and Mabel resided in Phoenix, RI. At least two of their children were born in Pennsylvania, with Della and Lester born in Rhode Island.

Circa 1930, this family had moved again and made its home on Main Street in the village of Riverpoint in West Warwick, in the outskirts of Providence, Kent County, RI, where Ivan was employed as a weaver in a lace mill. They remained in Warwick as of 1940 with Ivan continuing to ply his weaving trade. In 1940, his son Marvin and daughter Della both worked in the lace mill as finishers.

Sadly, Mabel passed away on April 28, 1951. Inscribed on the face of her flat bronze grave marker are the words "Mother reast peacefully."

Ivan succumbed to the spectre of death on March 26, 1954. Burial of the remains was in Greenwood Cemetery in Coventry, RI.

Son Marvin Ivan Miner (1913- ? ) was born on April 25, 1913 in Weissport. He had a grammar school education. A bachelor at age 26, in 1940, he was employed as a finisher for Benscroft Lace Company in West Warwick, RI. he stood 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighed 175 lbs. and had brown eyes and brown hair. He registered for the military draft in 1940 on the eve of World War II. He went on to enlist in the U.S. Army on Feb. 21, 1942 at Fort Devens, MA. He received a wound of some type during the conflict. Marvin passed away in 1982. Burial of the remains was in Greenwood Cemetry.

Son Willard Harry Miner (1914- ? ) was born on Aug. 14, 1914 in Weissport. He was educated through the first year of high school. He lived at home in 1940, at age 25, and was unemployed. In young manhood, he stood 5 feet, 9 inches, weighed 220 lbs. and sported brown hair and brown eyes. Willard is known to have registered for the military draft a month before the United States was plunged into World War II.. Then on March 4, 1942, he went to Philadelphia to enlist in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of corporal during the war, assigned to the 3888 Quarter Master Trucking Company. He was joined in matrimony with Pearl Lillian Snyder (Feb. 8, 1914-2000), a native of Lehighton near Weissport. Their residence in West Warwick was 15 Kinne Street. Willard died at the age of 47 on Nov. 19, 1961. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Pearl Lillian outlived him by nearly four decades. She passed away at age 85 on Feb. 1, 2000.

Daughter Della Jane Miner (1916-2006) was born on Jan. 14, 1916 in Lehighton, PA or in Phoenix, RI. She resided with her parents in Rhode Island, and never married.  She made her home in West Warwick and later on Davis Drive in Pascoag, RI. She was a longtime employee of Bancroft Lace and Bodell Lace, where she was a finisher and lace cutter. She retired in 1987. She also was a member of the Phenix Baptist church in West Warwick. She died at the age of 90 in Feb. 18, 2006, in a hospital in North Providence. She was the last living member of her immediate family. At her death, a Providence newspaper reported that she "was the beloved aunt of Donna Piasczyk of Chepachet and Willard Miner of Warwick," all in Rhode Island.

Son Lester Thomas Miner (1923-1994) was born on Dec. 3, 1924 in or near Warwick, RI, where he grew to manhood. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Circa 1969, he was united in wedlock with E. Marie Heard (1912-1982). She brought a stepson to the union, Calvin Russell Heard. Marie died at the age of 70, in Dallas, on Dec. 17, 1982. Death swept him away into eternity on March 29, 1994. The remains were interred in Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, TX.

~ Daughter Jane Elizabeth (Miner) Stoll ~

Daughter Jane Elizabeth Miner (1894- ? ) was born on Nov. 28, 1894. 

On April 14, 1915, at Mauch Chunk, she wed Herman H. Stoll, Jr. 1893- ? ), by the hand of Rev. Walter C. Robert. Herman was a mail carrier, and the son of Herman and Louisa (Fisher) Stohl Sr. of Mauch Chunk, with both parents born in Philadelphia. Because at the age 20 at the time of marriage, she was still considered underage, and with both parents dead, guardian David McCormick had to provide his consent to the Orphans Court of Carbon County.

They were the parents of an only son, William Henry Stoll.

The couple established a home in Mauch Chunk, at 102 Broadway. There, for 40 years, Herman was employed as a postal mail carrier. Reported the Allentown (PA) Morning Call,

He became a member of the postal department on Oct. 1, 1913 and served as a substitute carrier under the last postmaster E.F. Luckenbach. Known as "Carrier No. 3," he became the first carrier to serve at the branch post office in East Mauch chunk and retained his route until the death of Alfred Pagel, a Mauch Chunk carrier, several years ago. Stoll served under six postmasters, the late William Kreider, Harry Zanders and Luckenbach; Miss Emma Zanders, Warden Dugan and the incumbent, George W. Smith, East Mauch Chunk.

In November 1952, the Stolls traveled to San Mateo, CA to visit their married son. Grief descended upon the family when the 58-year-old Jane died without warning in the son's home on Nov. 11, 1952. An obituary was published in the San Mateo Times.

The widowed Herman returned to Mauch Chunk. He worked for about another year. He retired at the age of 60 on Oct. 1, 1953, marking the 40th anniversary of his first day on the job. He told reporter from the Morning Call that he planned to move to California to live with his son.

As of 1954, Herman was in the son's residence at 1756 Newbridge. The Times reported in February 1954 that his sisters Mrs. J.J. Humphries of Lehighton and Mrs. Amelia Hawk of Philadelphia had traveled there for a two-week visit.

Son William Henry Stoll (1918-1993) was born on Nov. 9, 1918 in Mauch Chunk, Carbon County. He was a bachelor and lived at home in Mauch Chunk in 1940, working as a pocketbook framer for a pocketbook factory. By 1953, he had married and relocated to San Mateo, CA, with the address of 1756 Newbridge Street. They were the parents of William Stoll and Karen Stoll. William is known to have enjoyed bowling in his free time. Sadly, he passed away in Solano County, CA on Dec. 18, 1993.

• Grandson William Stoll

• Granddaughter Karen Stoll (1949- ? ) was born in about 1949. She marked her ninth birthday in 1957 with a Labor Day weekend camping trip with her mother, brother and friend to Pedro Dam.