Personal Grooming
Updated - 11/09/2023
"Personal Grooming" would cover those businesses which involve improving the physical appearance of an individual. While the two most common groups within this category would be barber shops & beauty parlors, other occupations might also qualify (for example: Avon or Mary Kay Cosmetics Sales, shoe shine stands, seamstress or tailors, etc.). Below is a list of those businesses or individuals who practiced some form of personal grooming service in the Auburn area.
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KEY:
Bold italicized - Confirmed barber/beautician; business name uncertain or unknown
"Bold upright with quotation marks" - Confirmed barber/beautician; business name known
Italicized only - Possible/unconfirmed barber/beautician; or business officially known by a different name
Bold italicized - Confirmed barber/beautician; business name uncertain or unknown
"Bold upright with quotation marks" - Confirmed barber/beautician; business name known
Italicized only - Possible/unconfirmed barber/beautician; or business officially known by a different name
Ahrensfield’s barber shop - (see: "Auburn Barber Shop" -
posted below) |
Alspach's beauty parlor/salon/shop/shoppe - (see: "Alspach's
Hair Styles"; or "Alspach's Hairstyles" - posted below) |
"Alspach’s Hair Styles" (a.k.a. "Alspach's Hairstyles") - 115 Market Street. Susan "Sue" L. Alspach, beautician. (circa 1998 - present). Prior to Sue operating her beauty shop at this location, it was previously utilized for a similar purpose by Verna Shollenberger Geesaman to operate Geesaman's beauty salon and shoppe from circa 1947 until circa 1987. The structure was previously utilized as an "ice cream shop" by Verna's parents until her mother died, at which point Verna finished her beauty schooling, then set up shop in her parents' business site. Before it even served as Shollenberger's "ice cream shop", the structure was utilized by Dr. Charles E. Quail Sr. to sell pharmacuticals at "Doc Quail's Drug Store". It's estimated construction date is listed as 1900 on the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator website, although historical records indicate "Doc" Quail had opened his pharmacy at this location by 1892.
Sue was born circa 1960. She was a daughter of Virginia I. Gillespie Alspach. She was a sister of Deborah K. Alspach. She advertises specializing in "Braids up-doos; (hair) coloring; foil color highlights; men's haircuts; perms; and women's haircuts with shampoo". She can be contacted by calling 570-754-4433 or by emailing her at: [email protected]. Sue Alspach also maintains an currently active Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AlspachHairStyles/. Sue is believed to have begun her career in hair styling circa 1987. (NOTE: The Auburn Area Historical Society is grateful to Susan "Sue" L. Alspach for displaying for sale at her shop AAHS merchandise as a fund raiser for that non-profit organization.) |
Armpriester's barber shop - John David Armpriester, barber. Circa 1905 only.
John David Armpriester was born 09/06/1857; possibly in Gibralter; Robeson Township, Berks County, PA. He was a son of Charles Armpriester (Sr.?) and Susan Rebecca (Ringer or Ringler) Armpriester. He was a brother of Charles Irvin Armpriester (Jr.?) and Alice Armpriester. Circa 1879, John married Mary A. (maiden name unknown) Armpriester Breidenstein (who remarried after John's death). According to his obituary, John lived in Reading, Berks County, PA, "nearly all his life"; but according to other news snippets, John apparently had also briefly resided in Schuylkill County, at first Summit Station and later Auburn, for a short period of time, before relocating once again to Seyfert, Robeson Township, Berks County, PA. His obituary further states that he was a "barber by trade, but followed the vocation of boatman. He was on the canal for 40 years." This assertion is questionable at best, because (a) that means he would have spent his entire "adult" life, from age 14 until age age 54 when he died, "on the canal", yet we have documented proof that he had served both as a barber in Auburn, as well as proprietor of hotel in Auburn and in Summit Station, and later a barber in Seyfert, for at least a three years if not longer. According to a news snippet found in "The Call" newspaper dated 02/13/1903, John managed the "Farmer's Hotel" in Summit Station with the intent to become proprietor of an unspecified hotel within Auburn in the immediate future. How long John had been in Summit Station, Schuylkill County, PA is unknown at this time. According to the Press-Herald newspaper edition dated 03/20/1903, J. D. Armpriester has assumed his duties as the properietor of the "Delmonica hotel" (a.k.a. the "Delmonico" and the "Hotel Delmonico") located on the eastern side of what is now known as Bear Creek Street in Auburn. By January, 1905, John decided that hotel management wasn't his career of choice. He vacated the position of proprietor of the Hotel Delmonica and George Fahl of Auburn assumed those duties. According to the Miners' Journal newspaper dated 01/25/1905, John intends to "open a tonsorial parlor and pool room in the building formerly occupied by Morgan Moyer" yet that week. Morgan owned more than one property in Auburn, so it is uncertain as to which location this refers to within the town. Morgan is believed to have operated a barber shop at his residence at 119 Market Street in Auburn, but from all appearances, Morgan, his wife, and his extended family may have all resided there until 1907 when Morgan unexpectedly died, so it is doubtful that 119 Market Street was the location of Armpriester's barber shop and pool room. Somewhat confusingly, the same newspaper mentions "D. Armpriester" as being the future barber, yet three paragraphs later mentions "Jno. (Jonathan or John) Armpriester" as moving into the "house formerly occupied (but not owned?) by Frank Miller, on the other side of the Schuylkill (River) near the Penna. depot". There was no known "D. Armpriester" affiliated with the Hotel Delmonica"; or with "Auburn"; or with "Jonathan D. Armpriester" of that era, so the presumption is that both of these individuals are the same person and that possibly the aforemention resident, Frank Miller, was just a tenant of the house that may have been owned by Morgan Moyer. By August of that same year (1905), J. D. Armpriester has begun to stray from his "tonsorial" duties and accepted a position as a "traveling salesman for a leading cigar firm". He does, however, intend to keep his barber shop open for business on Saturdays. The following month, the Press Herald newspaper informs us that J. D. Armpriester has now leased one of "C. B. Miller's coal washeries" in the Auburn area. Apparently, John has difficulty in choosing a profession at this point in his life. The article does not specify if he will continue to operate his barber shop. Approximately just one month after having invested in a coal washery near Auburn, the Miners' Journal newspaper dated 10/19/1905 informs us that John D. Armpriester, short-lived hotelier, barber and coal-magnate of Auburn, has already packed up and moved to Seyfert, Robeson Township, Berks County, PA, to "open a barber shop and pool room". Sounds familiar. Exactly where and when John finally settled back into Reading is uncertain at this time. John died circa 1911 (least likely - date engraved on his grave marker); or on 04/18/1912 (most-likely; date from his Certificate of Death"); or 04/19/1912 (less-likely; date from his obituary) from "apoplexy" caused by "paralysis" at his home at 671 Clinton Street, Reading, Berks County, PA, and was interred within the Welsh Baptist Meeting House Burial Ground, Reading, Berks County, PA. |
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Auburn Barber Shop - (location and barber uncertain; time span unknown) Although it is confirmed that a barber shop in Auburn was specifically named the "Auburn Barber Shop" circa 1990 - circa 1995 (owned and operated by Ronald "Ron" G. Ahrensfield at his residence located at 119 Market Street in Auburn), no prior mention of this business name had occurred during the previous thirty-plus years, and other prior owners of that address are known to have operated a barber shop using other names such as Richard "Dick" D. Edwards who promoted his shop as "Dick's Barber Shop" from circa 1969 until circa 1990; or Paul Klinger who presumably kept his prior location's same name of "Klinger's Barber Shop" when he relocated to 119 Market Street, operating a barber shop there from circa 1944 until circa 1968 when he sold the barber shop to Richard "Dick" D. Edwards. Therefore, a possibility exists that this newspaper article mistakenly assigned a name of "Auburn Barber Shop" to a business that actually operated under a different nomenclature when it should have been generically referred to as an "Auburn barber shop".
A list of barbers who possibly operated a barber shop in the Auburn-area during 1958 would include, but not necessarily be limited to: Harvey Seigfried (confirmed to have once operated "Seigfried's Sanitary Barber Shop" in Auburn during the 1950s to include the year 1958) Jay Berger (who operated "Jay's Barber Shop" or "Jay Berger Barber Shop" circa 1950s in the rural Auburn-area) Mabel A. Brensinger Ebling (possible barber in Auburn) Oliver "Ollie" Moyer (who was confirmed operating a barber shop located within the Hotel Auburn building during the 1930s but was unable to be tracked after that...) Paul Klinger (who was operating a barber shop at 119 Market Street in Auburn, presumably under his prior barber shop's name of "Klinger's Barber Shop") Whether the term "Auburn Barber Shop" was simply a mistake made by the newspaper referring to a business by a generic term; whether or not one of the aforementioned possible or confirmed barbers of that era had actually operated their shop under this business name; or whether a possiblity exists that yet another barber shop of an unknown location operated by an unidentified barber at this time, is uncertain presently. |
"Auburn Barber Shop" - (a.k.a. Ahrensfield's barber shop) - 119 Market Street. Ronald "Ron" G. Ahrensfield, barber. Ron and his wife Janet L. Ahrensfield lived at, and Ron presumably operated his barber shop from, this location during a period of circa October, 1990 until circa May, 1995. On June 21, 1995, Ron sold the property to a Dennis C. Lewis for $46,100; at which point Ron and Janet moved to Ocala, Marion County, Florida.
Ronald married Janet L. (maiden name unknown) Ahrensfield. They are believed to have had the following children: Christie L. (Ahrensfield) Yonawick and G. Steven Ahrensfield. In addition to opening and operating the Auburn Barber Shop, Ron briefly served as Auburn Mayor from November, 1992 until April, 1994 at which point he resigned, partly due to stress and partly due to health issues from having experienced a minor stroke. When Ron first assumed office, he stated he took over a police department that was disorganized, with paperwork not being done, changes to the law were not being followed, equipment was outdated and patrol cars that were in need of repair. Ron drafted a 160-page policy book during his brief tenure in office and was praised by the Auburn Borough Council President John Eckert and Vice-President Bart D. Faust for his performance as mayor. |
"Beatrice's Beauty Shoppe" - (a.k.a. "Beatrice Spotts Beauty Shop"; "Beaty's Beauty Shop"; "Beaty's Beauty Shoppe") - (507 - 509?) Market Street. Beatrice "Beaty" M. Reichert Spotts, beautician. Over the years, Beatrice has advertised that she specializes in "All Beauty Service(s) to include "Bonat Scalp Treatments; Cold Waves; Conture Cosmetics; Machine and Machineless Perms; Machine Waves; Revlon Manicures; and "special attention" to children". Her business telephone number changed over the years from "Auburn 56R2" to "AUBURN 2791" to simply "2791" and finally "754-3441".
While "Beatrice Spotts Beauty Shop" has definitively been located at (507 - 509?) Market Street in Auburn, the shops by her various business names are either simply indicated as having been located on "Market Street", or just in "Auburn". An advertisement from "The Call" newspaper dated 03/20/1958 lists a "Beaty's Beauty Shop" in Auburn, yet William and Beatrice Spotts didn't purchase the property at (507 - 509?) Market Street until 09/16/1978 from a C. & H. Reichert (her parents) for the nominal price of $1. William and Beatrice are on record as having sold the property on 12/14/2005. It is believed that Beatrice was operating a beauty shop within Auburn since as early as 1952 if not earlier. Beatrice "Beaty" Mae Reichert Spotts was born on 04/07/1930. She was a daughter of Clarence Clinton Reichert and Helen S. Bartolet Reichert. Beatrice graduated from Auburn High School in 1948 and attended the Empire Beauty College in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA while being employed at the Landingville Knitting Mill, Landingville, Schuylkill County, PA. Less than a year after her graduation from the Auburn High School, Beatrice was married. On 03/12/1949, Beatrice married William A. Spotts (Sr.?). An important note from the wedding announcement was that the couple intended to reside with the bride's parents, the Reicherts, who owned a house at 507 Market Street in Auburn. Beatrice is believed to have continued to reside there most of her life, and at some point opened a beauty shop in the adjacent structure, 509 Market Street. Beatrice and William are believed to have had a son, William Spotts (Jr.?), as well as several daughters, since Beatrice attended a social gathering in 1952 where she won a prize for being the "mother with the most daughters present" at the social event. Beatrice died on 04/19/1995 in the Lancaster General Hopstial, Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA, and was interred within the St. Paul's Church cemetery, Summer Hill Road, South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
"Beatrice Spotts Beauty Shop" - (a.k.a. "Beatrice's Beauty Shoppe"; "Beaty's Beauty Shop"; "Beaty's Beauty Shoppe") - 509 Market Street. Beatrice "Beaty" R. Spotts, beautician. Over the years, Beatrice has advertised that she specializes in "All Beauty Service(s) to include "Bonat Scalp Treatments; Cold Waves; Conture Cosmetics; Machine and Machineless Perms; Machine Waves; Revlon Manicures; and "special attention" to children". Her business telephone number changed over the years from "Auburn 56R2" to "AUBURN 2791" to simply "2791" and finally "754-3441".
While "Beatrice Spotts Beauty Shop" has definitively been located at 509 Market Street in Auburn, the shops by her various business names are either simply indicated as having been located on "Market Street", or just in "Auburn". An advertisement from "The Call" newspaper dated 03/20/1958 lists a "Beaty's Beauty Shop" in Auburn, yet William and Beatrice Spotts didn't purchase the property at (507 - 509?) Market Street until 09/16/1978 from a C. & H. Reichert. William and Beatrice are on record as having sold the property on 12/14/2005. It is believed that Beatrice was operating a beauty shop within Auburn since as early as 1952 if not earlier. Beatrice "Beaty" Mae Reichert Spotts was born on 04/07/1930. She was a daughter of Clarence Clinton Reichert and Helen S. Bartolet Reichert. Beatrice graduated from Auburn High School in 1948 and attended the Empire Beauty College in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA while being employed at the Landingville Knitting Mill, Landingville, Schuylkill County, PA. Less than a year after her graduation from the Auburn High School, Beatrice was married. On 03/12/1949, Beatrice married William A. Spotts (Sr.?). An important note from the wedding announcement was that the couple intended to reside with the bride's parents, the Reicherts, who owned a house at 507 Market Street in Auburn. Beatrice is believed to have continued to reside there most of her life, and at some point opened a beauty shop in the adjacent structure, 509 Market Street. Beatrice and William are believed to have had a son, William Spotts (Jr.?), as well as several daughters, since Beatrice attended a social gathering in 1952 where she won a prize for being the "mother with the most daughters present" at the social event. Beatrice died on 04/19/1995 in the Lancaster General Hopstial, Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA, and was interred within the St. Paul's Church cemetery, Summer Hill Road, South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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"Beaty's Beauty Shop" - (a.k.a. "Beatrice's Beauty Shoppe"; "Beatrice Spotts Beauty Shop"; "Beaty's Beauty Shoppe") - (507 - 509?) Market Street. Beatrice "Beaty" R. Spotts, beautician. Over the years, Beatrice has advertised that she specializes in "All Beauty Service(s) to include "Bonat Scalp Treatments; Cold Waves; Conture Cosmetics; Machine and Machineless Perms; Machine Waves; Revlon Manicures; and "special attention" to children". Her business telephone number changed over the years from "Auburn 56R2" to "AUBURN 2791" to simply "2791" and finally "754-3441".
While "Beatrice Spotts Beauty Shop" has definitively been located at (507 - 509?) Market Street in Auburn, the shops by her various business names are either simply indicated as having been located on "Market Street", or just in "Auburn". An advertisement from "The Call" newspaper dated 03/20/1958 lists a "Beaty's Beauty Shop" in Auburn, yet William and Beatrice Spotts didn't purchase the property at (507 - 509?) Market Street until 09/16/1978 from a C. & H. Reichert. William and Beatrice are on record as having sold the property on 12/14/2005. It is believed that Beatrice was operating a beauty shop within Auburn since as early as 1952 if not earlier. Beatrice "Beaty" Mae Reichert Spotts was born on 04/07/1930. She was a daughter of Clarence Clinton Reichert and Helen S. Bartolet Reichert. Beatrice graduated from Auburn High School in 1948 and attended the Empire Beauty College in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA while being employed at the Landingville Knitting Mill, Landingville, Schuylkill County, PA. Less than a year after her graduation from the Auburn High School, Beatrice was married. On 03/12/1949, Beatrice married William A. Spotts (Sr.?). An important note from the wedding announcement was that the couple intended to reside with the bride's parents, the Reicherts, who owned a house at 507 Market Street in Auburn. Beatrice is believed to have continued to reside there most of her life, and at some point opened a beauty shop in the adjacent structure, 509 Market Street. Beatrice and William are believed to have had a son, William Spotts (Jr.?), as well as several daughters, since Beatrice attended a social gathering in 1952 where she won a prize for being the "mother with the most daughters present" at the social event. Beatrice died on 04/19/1995 in the Lancaster General Hopstial, Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA, and was interred within the St. Paul's Church cemetery, Summer Hill Road, South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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"Beaty's Beauty Shoppe" - (a.k.a. "Beatrice's Beauty Shoppe"; "Beatrice Spotts Beauty Shop"; "Beaty's Beauty Shop") - (507 - 509?) Market Street. Beatrice "Beaty" R. Spotts, beautician. Over the years, Beatrice has advertised that she specializes in "All Beauty Service(s) to include "Bonat Scalp Treatments; Cold Waves; Conture Cosmetics; Machine and Machineless Perms; Machine Waves; Revlon Manicures; and "special attention" to children". Her business telephone number changed over the years from "Auburn 56R2" to "AUBURN 2791" to simply "2791" and finally "754-3441".
While "Beatrice Spotts Beauty Shop" has definitively been located at (507 - 509?) Market Street in Auburn, the shops by her various business names are either simply indicated as having been located on "Market Street", or just in "Auburn". An advertisement from "The Call" newspaper dated 03/20/1958 lists a "Beaty's Beauty Shop" in Auburn, yet William and Beatrice Spotts didn't purchase the property at (507 - 509?) Market Street until 09/16/1978 from a C. & H. Reichert. William and Beatrice are on record as having sold the property on 12/14/2005. It is believed that Beatrice was operating a beauty shop within Auburn since as early as 1952 if not earlier. Beatrice "Beaty" Mae Reichert Spotts was born on 04/07/1930. She was a daughter of Clarence Clinton Reichert and Helen S. Bartolet Reichert. Beatrice graduated from Auburn High School in 1948 and attended the Empire Beauty College in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA while being employed at the Landingville Knitting Mill, Landingville, Schuylkill County, PA. Less than a year after her graduation from the Auburn High School, Beatrice was married. On 03/12/1949, Beatrice married William A. Spotts (Sr.?). An important note from the wedding announcement was that the couple intended to reside with the bride's parents, the Reicherts, who owned a house at 507 Market Street in Auburn. Beatrice is believed to have continued to reside there most of her life, and at some point opened a beauty shop in the adjacent structure, 509 Market Street. Beatrice and William are believed to have had a son, William Spotts (Jr.?), as well as several daughters, since Beatrice attended a social gathering in 1952 where she won a prize for being the "mother with the most daughters present" at the social event. Beatrice died on 04/19/1995 in the Lancaster General Hopstial, Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA, and was interred within the St. Paul's Church cemetery, Summer Hill Road, South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Berger's barber shop - (see: "Jay's Barber Shop" and/or
"Jay Berger's Barber Shop" - posted below) |
Boltz's "Beauty Parlor" - possibly either a "Bear Creek Street", a "Front Street" or a "Jackson Street" address in Auburn. Florence A. Long Boltz, beautician. It is believed that Florence operated a beauty parlor within Auburn from at least 1950 (if not earlier) until at least 1962 (if not later).
Florence A. Long Boltz was born in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, on 05/28/1925. She was the daughter of Frederick Long and Kathryn "Katie" Mellon Long. She was a sister of Charles E. Long, Helen Irene Long Moyer, Howard F. Long, Idella Long Schappell, Loretta M. Long Klahr and Richard W. Long. She was a graduate of Auburn High School. (NOTE: An obituary printed by the Reading Eagle dated 04/05/2017 contains an error in which it identified the father of Florence as "Howard Long". Howard was a brother of Florence. Her father's name was Frederick Long.) According to "The Call" newspaper dated 10/16/1942, Florence obtained employment with the Windsor Broom Works in Hamburg, Berks County, PA. In March of 1945, Edwin Boltz of Bernville, Berks County, PA, and Florence Long of Hamburg, Berks County, PA, obtained a marriage license. On March 19, 1945, Florence married Edwin H. Boltz within the home of Reverend Loos in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. They had two children: Carl E. Boltz and Donna M. Boltz Brown. According to the Schuylkill County Parcel locator, Edwin and Florence purchased a property that would be considered 612 Jackson Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, by no later than February, 1952, and possibly years earlier. A Pottsville Republican newspaper article dated 02/09/1963 informs us that Kate Long (Florence's mother) has sold a "premises" located on Bear Creek Street in Auburn for $1,800. That parcel, now known as 602 Bear Creek Street, was presumably owned Ed and Florence for a period of time before they sold it to their son, Carl E. Boltz, in October, 1974. On 08/17/1966, Edwin and Florence purchased property from the estate of Charles Miller at the south end of Front Street, believed to have been an adjacent lot to their home at 612 Jackson Street, for $450. Florence worked a variety of jobs to include working at the Windsor Broom Works in Hamburg; the Price Battery Company in Hamburg, Berks County, PA; the Hubler Shoe Factory of Auburn; being a self-employed beautician and operating a beauty parlor out of her home; and also serving as secretary for the Boltz Brother's (Plumbing and Heating) business operated by her husband and brother-in-law. Presumably, she served as secretary for her husband's own business, Edwin H. Boltz General Repair & Service. Florence was a member of the Auburn Ambulance Company, the Auburn Fire Company, and the Auburn Staller-Luckenbill VFW Post 3975 Ladies Auxilary group; as well as the Crohns & Colitis Foundation. Florence died in the Laurel Center Genesis Health Eldercare facility, Hamburg, Berks County, PA, on 04/04/2017. She and her husband Edwin had just celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. She was interred within the St. John's Church "new" cemetary, adjacent to Rt. 895, West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Boltz's beauty salon/shop/shoppe - (see: Boltz's "Beauty
Parlor" - posted above) |
Bonawitz's barber shop - Front Street. Willard L. Bonawitz, barber. Circa mid-1920s to circa August, 1928. Willard's obituary specifically states that Willard had operated a barber shop in Auburn, (Schuylkill County, PA). The business name under which he operated his barber shop is currently uncertain.
Willard L. Bonawitz was born on 02/12/1908 in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, PA. He was a son of Lincoln Bonawitz and Edna Unger Bonawitz. He was a brother of Fern L. (Bonawitz?) Miller and Glen Adams (Bonawitz?). Willard married Cora H. Sattizahn Bonawitz. A possible daughter of this union has been tentatively identified as one "Carla Louisa Bonawitz" who was born in Pine Grove on April 27, 1939 but died after only three months and twenty-two days. Willard died on 01/01/2004 in the Lebanon Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA, and was interred within the Outwood Lutheran Church cemetery, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, PA. OBITUARY: Willard L. Bonawitz, 95, of Spang Crest Manor and formerly of Elm Street, Lebanon, died Thursday, Jan. 1,2004, in Lebanon's Good Samaritan Hospital. He was the husband of Cora H. Sattizahn Bonawitz, who died Feb.3,1998. Born Feb. 12, 1908, in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late Lincoln and Edna Unger Bonawitz. He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lebanon and its Men's Brotherhood, and a former member of the Lebanon Businessmen's Association and Lebanon Senior Citizens. A self-employed barber, he operated a barber shop in Auburn, Schuylkill County, then in Lebanon at 22 N. Ninth St. for 31 years, and most recently at 908 Cumberland St. for 33 years. He was preceded in death by brother Glen Adams and sister Fern L. Miller. (Lebanon Daily News, Jan.2,2004) |
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Brensinger's barber shop - 219 S. Third Street at the intersection of Elm and Third Streets. Mabel A. Brensinger Ebling, barber. Although no mention of an actual "barber shop", "beauty parlor", or even business operated by Mabel A. Brensinger Ebling could be found after an exhaustive Internet search, Auburn-area historian Kermit Mengel (now deceased) had stated that Mabel used to provide hair cuts in her residence for which she charged the individuals a modest fee; as a result, Mabel Brensinger's "barber shop" is being included as a tentative tonsorial business within the Auburn-area that should be considered unconfirmed at this time.
Mabel A. Brensinger Ebling was born on 11/11/1899 in Schuylkill County, PA. She was the daughter of Daniel Robert Brensinger and Sarah Stoudt Ramer Brensinger (Daniel was Sarah's second husband...she was a widow of J. Walter Ramer). She was a sister of Grace I. Brensinger Fryer and Helen E. Brensinger Seigfried; and a step-sister of Beulah M. Ramer Seigfried; Ella Iona Ramer Mengel; Harry Ramer (who was born in 1886 and died in 1900 at the age of only thirteen or fourteen years old); John Walter Ramer; and Mason Clayton Ramer. In 1928, Mabel married Robert Grover Ebling. They are believed to have had the following children: James Ebling; Sara Grace "Cid" Ebling; and an unnamed infant daughter whose date of birth and date of death were both 08/23/1928 - possibly stillborn. A stillborn child wasn't the only tragedy in Mabel's life. On Monday, August 18, 1952, Mabel's husband Robert, age 67, who was employed as a "track walker" for the Reading Railroad, was found underneath a string of coal cars, his body described as "mangled" and appearing to have suffered a "crushed chest". He had been employed by the railroad for "about 25 to 30 years" and his work included walking and inspecting the tracks from Auburn to Landingville, Schuylkill County, PA, where the body was found. However, railroad officials were at a loss to explain how the body was located where it had been found since the cars were parked on a railroad siding and not the main tracks. Mabel died on 07/07/1972 and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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"Dick's Barber Shop" - (a.k.a. Edward's barber shop) - 119 Market Street. Richard "Dick" D. Edwards, barber. An early advertisement promoted "Styling by Appointment". Richard "Dick" D. Edwards and his wife J. C. Edwards purchased and resided at, and "Dick" presumably operated his barber shop from, this location from circa February, 1969 until circa October, 1990 when the property was sold to another party.
In an article found within the 05/13/1971 The Call newspaper edition, a rather controversial decision was approved by the Auburn Borough Council allowing Richard "Dick" Edwards to erect signs in front of his barber shop on Market Street which would restrict parking to only his customers. Councilman Morrison seemed to have a proper perspective on the parking situation when he implied this decision was not favorable but that Morrison favored placing a restricted parking sign in front of the doctor's office in order to aid persons who are physically ill. A search of the genealogical website findagrave.com failed to produce conclusive results of Richard "Dick" D. Edwards as having been interred anywhere in Pennsylvania. Either Richard is still living, or was interred in another state, or the Pennsylvania-based cemetery in which he had been interred has not been included yet in the database for findagrave.com. As a result, no further information is available about Richard at this time. |
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Ebey's barber shop - never established. Homer Ebey, barber. Circa 1923. In a snippet from the Press Herald newspaper dated 03/16/1923, mention is made that a Pine Grove resident, Homer Ebey, who was previously employed as a barber n the Lebanon area, had purchased the Auburn-based barber shop of Wilson H. Reed with the intention of continuing the barber trade in Auburn. However, just two weeks later, in a snippet dated 03/30/1923 from the Pottsville Republican newspaper, a rather strangely worded and somewhat garbeld message is conveyed that Homer Ebey has chosen to withdraw his purchase of the barber shop of Wilson Reed in Auburn. The snippet contains a strange phrase of "the fire was fought in the nick of time", but no mention is made of an actual fire having occurred at the shop, so Ebey's reason for reneging on the deal is uncertain at this time. Additionally, a thorough search of the Internet failed to produce any mention of a fire occurring within Auburn during the year 1923 at either a "barber shop" or at a residence or property of any "Ebey" or "Reed", so the justification for inserting the unusual phrase into the news snippet is currently unknown. As a result of Ebey's decision, the barber shop he intended to establish in Auburn never occurred.
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Edward's barber shop - (see: "Dick's Barber Shop" - posted
above) |
"Elaine Miller's Beauty Salon" - 237A Market Street. Elaine Miller, beautician. Elaine is believed to have established her business in Auburn circa May, 1973.
(NOTE: The Auburn Area Historical Society is grateful to Elaine Miller for displaying for sale at her shop AAHS merchandise as a fund raiser for that non-profit organization.) |
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Fey's barber shop - location unknown; Harry (Frey or Fry) Fey, barber. Circa 1907 - 1908. Actual business name unknown.
Harry was born circa 1889, presumably in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA. He was a son of Frank Fey and Sarah "Sallie" Barbara (Frey or Fry) Fey. He was a brother of Clark Valentine Fey and Paul G. Fey (who lived only two years, eighteen days). Harry apprenticed as a barber in Orwigsburg when he was only fifteen years of age, possibly even earlier. At that tender age, he witnessed the second half of a "tussle" between a father and a son in Orwigsburg which resulted in murder charges being brought against the son. Harry graduated from Orwigsburg High School in 1906. He is believed to have opened a barber shop in Auburn circa 1907 and presumably continued operation circa 1908 if not later. At some point, Harry married Rose (Williams?) Fey. He and his wife are noted in a newspaper snippet dated from 1959 stating they had been living in Ontario, California for the past 18 years, meaning he left Schuylkill County circa 1941 if not earlier. Harry died circa 1965 at the estimated age of 75 or 76 years of age and was interred within the Bellevue Memorial Park cemetery, Ontario, San Bernardino County, California. |
NO GRAVE MARKER IMAGE AVAILABLE
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Geesaman's beauty parlor/salon/shop/shoppe -
(see: "Verna Geesaman's Beauty Shoppe"; "Verna's Beauty Salon"; or "Verna('s) Beauty Shoppe" - posted below) |
Grimes' barber shop - "Auburn, Pa.". Charles U. Grimes, barber. An Internet websearch revealed an biography excerpt of a Samuel Eshelman from the literary work "Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals" by Morton Luther Montgomery circa 1909. While documenting the children of Samuel Eshelman, it mentions the marriage of his daughter, Katie, as such "Katie m. Charles U. Grimes, a barber of Auburn, PA". Since there are additional references to neighboring "Berks County" in Samuel's biography, the presumption would be that the "Auburn, PA" would be the town located in adjacent Schuylkill County, rather than those locations with similar names found within a distant Susquehanna County, PA.
Charles U. Grimes was born on 08/02/1864. He was a son of James Grimes and Annie Ulrich Grimes. He was a brother of Ida S. Grimes Weinhold; James Ulrich Grimes; Mary Ann Grimes Dunkelberger; and Sarah M. Grimes Adams. Charles married Kathryn "Katie" L. Eshelman Grimes. They had the following children: Estella Grimes Worley; John E. Grimes.; and Stanley E. Grimes. The website findgrave.com also has a questionable listing that a "Minnie Florence Merkel Greim" was his child but the lineage cannot be established or given any credence at this time. We know that by August, 1900, Charles had a barber shop established in Reading, Berks County, PA. Based on his mention in the 1909 biography cited above, we can presume Charles was operating as a barber in Auburn circa 1909. Charles died on 12/13/1945 and was interred within the Mohnsville Cemetery, Mohnton, Berks County, PA. |
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Horning's barber shop - 246 Washington Street, northeast corner of Third and Washington Streets, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. John F. Horning, barber. John F. Horning is believed to have operated a barber shop in Auburn from at least October, 1903 (if not earlier - possibly as early as March, 1902) until at least March, 1906 (if not later - possibly until July, 1909 or later). It is believed that John had operated prior barber shopd in the Adamsdale area of Schuylkill County circa 1892; at the Mt. Carbon area of Schuylkill County circa 1897; in the Orwigsburg area of Schuylkill County circa 1898; in Yorkville circa 1899 and then downtown Pottsville of Schuylkill County circa 1899; then back to the Orwigsburg area circa 1901 before finally moving to Auburn in March, 1902, where he supposedly practiced his barber shop trade until at least August, 1906, when he allegedly sold his barber shop...yet in the Summer of 1907, his barber shop in Auburn is listed once again as being for sale (in his name) as John has intentions of opening a barber shop in Ardmore, Berks County, PA...but John is still listed as "John Horning, Auburn, barber" in a potential juror in a Schuylkill County trial according to the Pottsville Republican newspaper edition of 07/30/1909. One has to wonder about the motivation behind so many major relocations within such a relatively short time-span.
A news snippet from the Miners' Journal newspaper informs us that John Horning has moved into "A. F. Moyer's house on Washington street"...presumably opening the barber shop within a room of his residence. A news snippet from "The Call" newspaper dated 10/30/1903 confirms the existence of the barber shop in Auburn as well as informs the public that John F. Horning has "opened a restaurant in connection with his barber shop, on Washington Street". (Perhaps this is the origin of the customer complaint "There's a hair in my soup..."?). The name of this restaurant is currently unidentified. A newspaper snippet from "The Call" newspaper dated 01/27/1905 informs the public that John F. Horning was elected as Auburn Borough Auditor for a three-year term, which would suggest residency until at least 1908 if he served his full term. A news snippet from the column of "Auburn Shale" of the Miner's Journal newspaper dated 03/19/1906 reads: "John Horning is again in his barber shop, after having had it closed for three days, during which time he had been laid up with a severe sore throat. During this time there was no barber in Auburn, for Mr. Horning is the only barber, and as a consequence there was a number of hairy faces seen in Auburn." A news snippet from the Miners Journal dated 08/25/1906 creates some confusion, as it clearly states John Horning has sold his Auburn barber shop to a Samuel Hubler, who intends to take possession of the property in September, 1906, as well as add a "billiard and pool parlor in the rear of the place"...yet according to one of the following quoted articles, John still owned his property that following year in the Summer of 1907. A second newspaper snippet from the Press Herald newspaper dated 08/31/1906 seems to confirm the concluded sale of the barber shop from John Honring to Samuel Hubler. A third news paper snippet seems to yet again confirm the sale of the barber shop to Samuel Hubler, this one from the Press Herald newspaper edition dated 09/14/1906. This news snippet even states Hubler moved into town and took up residency in Auburn. However, confusion is created by another news snippet, this one from the Pottsville Republican news-paper dated 07/20/1907, informs the public that John Horning was placing his two-and-one-half story property for sale, located at the corner of Third and Washington Streets in Auburn, with the intent of moving to Berks County and opening a barber shop there. Presumably, this article would imply that John's barber shop within Auburn was also located on the same property, perhaps within his residence. Apparently, by 10/14/1907, John still hadn't relocated from Auburn, since a Pottsville Republican newspaper advertisement informs the public of John's intent to sell a "one-horse market top spring wagon, good as new" to a "quick buyer". A later article from the Pottsville Republican dated 07/30/1909 (two years later) lists "John Horning; barber, Auburn" as a juror for a Schuylkill County based-trial; although theoretically John may have been "retired" by this point and simply listed by his prior occupation, although he would have been only thirty-six years of age at that point. John F. Horning was born on 11/22/1872 in Schuylkill County, PA. He was a son of Frederick L. Horning and Sarah L. Bowers Horning. He was a brother of Elizabeth Lauderbrun Horning Hessler and Martha S. Horning (who died in infancy at approximately six months of age). John married Carrie Annabelle Linderman Horning. They are believed to have had the following children: Anna Horning Fidler; Arthur Horning; and Edward Linderman Horning. John died on 11/19/1946 in Shillington, Berks County, PA, and was interred within the Cressona Cemetery, Cressona, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Huber's barber shop - Harry Elias Huber operated a barber shop within Auburn circa 1928 until circa 1932. He had purchased the already established barber shop of Willard Bonawitz in August of 1928. According to a news snippet, the same property was vacated by Harry, and subsequently utilized by Auburn-area barber Paul Klinger, no later than January, 1933. Based on our confirmed knowledge of Paul Klinger, that would make a reasonable presumption that Willard Bonawitz and Harry Huber (then later Paul Klinger) occupied the small, one-story structure located on Front Street just a few doors south of the intersection of Front and Market Streets. The business name of the barber shop once operated by Harry Huber is currently uncertain.
Harry Elias Huber was born on 01/12/1910. He was a son of Robert James Huber and Clara L. Huber. He was a brother of Edward J. Huber (who also worked as a barber for a period of time but not in Auburn). On 03/23/1933, Harry married Mary Doris Fetherolf Huber. They had the following children: Deborah A. Huber Zimmerman; Donald Elias Huber; and Robert C. Huber. In December of 1930, Harry was involved in a motor vehicle accident involving his automobile and another party's motorcycle. No one was injuried in the accident even though both vehicles "were badly damaged". Thirty-two years later, in December of 1962, Harry's son Donald was also involved in an automobile accident; unfortunately, he did not survive his injuries from the collision. Harry died on 07/16/1963 and was interred within the St. John's Lutheran Church cemetery, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Hubler's barber shop (possible first location?) - Possibly located at 246 Washington Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, the northeast corner of Third and Washington Streets. James Harrison Hubler, barber. This location has been confirmed to have been the prior site of a barber shop/residence owned by John F. Horning in the 1910s. According to conflicting newspaper reports, John sold his barber shop in August, 1906 to a Samuel Hubler of Pine Grove, who would take possession of the barber shop on September 3rd (presumably of the same year). Samuel expressed his intent to also open a billiard and pool parlor "in the rear of the place", indicative of John Horning having sold the entire structure to Hubler and not just "access" to a single barber shop room. A second newspaper article, this one from the Press Herald newspaper edition dated 08/31/1906, only helps confirm the concluded sale of the barber shop and Hubler's intention to take occupancy in September, 1906 and to expect his son James to run the barber shop. Yet a third newspaper snippet, this one from the Press-Herald newspaper edition dated 09/14/1906, suggests that John F. Horning has vacated his property on Washington Street and that Samuel Hubler has taken residency there. Now, the confusion and conflict begins. According to a newspaper snippet from the Pottsville Republican dated 05/04/1907 (less than eight months after he was supposed to assume a barber shop in Horning's old location), James Hubler is cited as having "moved his barber shop into the building of James Hawkins, Front and Market Sts.". To further complicate matters, another snippet from the Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 07/20/1907 states that John Horning is offering his property located at "Third and Washington Sts." for sale...even though he had allegedly concluded the sale of the property less than a year earlier to Samuel Hubler! So, at present, it is uncertain as to whether the sale between John F. Horning and Samuel Hubler for this property, which was well documented in August, 1906, for some reason failed to take place after it was supposedly concluded, and James Hubler never opened a barber shop in this location; or if for some inexplicable reason, the Hubler's did take possession of the property during the last half of 1906 but for some unknown reason, James relocated his shop to a second Auburn-area location at Front and Market Streets by May, 1907, and the property located at Front and Washington Streets reverted back to ownership by John F. Horning by July, 1907. As a result, James actual ownership or operation of a barber shop at this location was either incredibly brief, or it did not occur at all.
James Harrison Hubler was born on 08/13/1888 in Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of Samuel George Hubler and Annie Elizabeth Rager Hubler. He was a brother of Carrie R. Hubler Fox; Laura May Susan Hubler Hary; and Mary Elizabeth Hubler Rupp. James married Carrie E. Borkey Hubler. They had a daughter, Mary E. Hubler Brown and an unnamed/unidentified infant son who lived only eleven days. James died on 01/19/1970 in Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA, and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Hubler's barber shop (possible second location?) -
Corner of Third and Washington Streets in the "James Hawkins" building (southwest corner of the intersection). James Harrison Hubler, barber. James may, or may not, have previously operated a barber shop in Auburn at 246 Washington Street (see listing above), but this news snippet from the Pottsville Republican states he has moved his barber shop into "the building of James Hawkins, Front and Market Sts." of Auburn (which would be located at the southwest corner of that intersection). It is important to note that it does not state he purchased the property or even occupied the entire building, simply that his barber shop was located in the building itself. If the following newspaper snippet is correct, that from the Pottsville Republican newspaper edition dated approximately one year later of 05/09/1908, at some point during the past year's time, James had vacated this location, only to return once again to reopen his barber shop there. The reason for his temporary absence from this site in currently unknown. James Harrison Hubler was born on 08/13/1888 in Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of Samuel George Hubler and Annie Elizabeth Rager Hubler. He was a brother of Carrie R. Hubler Fox; Laura May Susan Hubler Hary; and Mary Elizabeth Hubler Rupp. James married Carrie E. Borkey Hubler. They had a daughter, Mary E. Hubler Brown and an unnamed/unidentified infant son who lived only eleven days. James died on 01/19/1970 in Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA, and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Hubler's barber shop (possible third location?) -
Corner of Third and Washington Streets in the "James Hawkins" building (southwest corner of the intersection) for the second time at this site. James Harrison Hubler, barber. James is documented as having occupied this location by opening a barber shop circa May, 1907 (see above listing), only to vacate the premises months later. Then, according to the Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 05/09/1908, James inexplicably returned to the same exact location to reopen a barber shop again within just a short span of time. The length of time James occupied this barber shop for his second time is currently unknown. James Harrison Hubler was born on 08/13/1888 in Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of Samuel George Hubler and Annie Elizabeth Rager Hubler. He was a brother of Carrie R. Hubler Fox; Laura May Susan Hubler Hary; and Mary Elizabeth Hubler Rupp. James married Carrie E. Borkey Hubler. They had a daughter, Mary E. Hubler Brown and an unnamed/unidentified infant son who lived only eleven days. James died on 01/19/1970 in Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA, and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Humphrey's beauty parlor/salon/shoppe - (see: "Humphrey's
Beauty Shop" - posted below) |
"Humphrey's Beauty Shop" - Other than this puzzling newspaper snippet from the Pottsville Republican newspaper dated from 06/03/1948, there currently is no other information easily available about an individual with either a first name or a surname of Humphrey (or Humphreys) as having ever operated a "Beauty Shop" or "Beauty Salon" in Auburn., PA. Additionally, the genealogical website findagrave.com has no listing of anyone with a surname of Humprhey of this era having been interred anywhere within Schuylkill County. An news snippet from six years earlier dated April of 1942 mentions a "Humphrey's Beauty Salon" located in nearby Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA, so a possibility exists that perhaps the newspaper misidentified the town in the advertisement.
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"Jay's Barber Shop" (a.k.a. "Jay Berger's Barber Shop") - Eastern side of Fort Lebanon Road, Auburn Rural Delivery. Jay G. Berger, barber. Jay is believed to have operated his barber shop from at least 1951 (if not earlier) until September, 1965.
Jay G. Berger was born on 07/18/1918 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. He was a son of Andrew Clayton Berger and Lillie Wildermuth Berger. He was a brother of Bruce W. Berger; Helen L. Berger; Joan Louise Berger Carey; and an unnamed infant male who was stillborn. Jay served as a Seaman First-Class in the U.S. Navy during World War Two. He was employed as a funeral director's assistant at the T. C. Auman Funeral Home, Reading, Berks County, PA for seventeen years, retiring from that position in 1983. Two decades prior to that, he owned and operated his own barber shop in the rural delivery area of Auburn. Jay married Edna A. Brommer Berger. They had two children: Beryl Eileen Berger who tragically died at the age of two years, four months, eight days from having swallowed a safety pin; and Sylvia Ann Berger. Jay died on 04/28/1993 at his home of 523 N. 25th Street, Pennside, Berks County, PA, and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Rt. 895, West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
"Jay Berger's Barber Shop" - (a.k.a. "Jay's Barber Shop") - Eastern side of Fort Lebanon Road, Auburn Rural Delivery. Jay G. Berger, barber. Jay is believed to have operated his barber shop from at least 1951 (if not earlier) until September, 1965.
Jay G. Berger was born on 07/18/1918 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. He was a son of Andrew Clayton Berger and Lillie Wildermuth Berger. He was a brother of Bruce W. Berger; Helen L. Berger; Joan Louise Berger Carey; and an unnamed infant male who was stillborn. Jay served as a Seaman First-Class in the U.S. Navy during World War Two. He was employed as a funeral director's assistant at the T. C. Auman Funeral Home, Reading, Berks County, PA for seventeen years, retiring from that position in 1983. Two decades prior to that, he owned and operated his own barber shop in the rural delivery area of Auburn. Jay married Edna A. Brommer Berger. They had two children: Beryl Eileen Berger who tragically died at the age of two years, four months, eight days from having swallowed a safety pin; and Sylvia Ann Berger. Jay died on 04/28/1993 at his home of 523 N. 25th Street, Pennside, Berks County, PA, and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Rt. 895, West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Klinger's barber shop (first Auburn-area location?) - Unspecified address at the corner of "Second and Market Streets" in Auburn. Paul Klinger, barber. Presumably, the business name of this site was "Klinger's Barber Shop", which was the confirmed name of his enterprise by 1935, but that is presently uncertain. Paul may have started his barber shop career at this unspecified Auburn address circa 1929. Paul Klinger apparently operated a barber shop at (at least) five different Auburn locations over the years, having served the Auburn area since circa 1929. An article in "The Call" newspaper indicates he had operated his (original?) barber shop at an unspecified location at the corner of Second and Market Streets until circa 1932, prior to moving further east on Market Street to his second location. In 1933, moved to a Front Street location for his third location. His third location was situated at Front Street in a small, one-story structure three buildings south from the intersection of Front and Market Streets. He advertsied providing "satisfying" service such as "Hair Bobbing; Hair Cutting; Shaving"; and offered to sharpen "Razors and Shears". By 1935, he relocated from this site to a fourth location, an unspecified site on Market Street (once again), before finally relocating to his fifth and final location at 119 Market Street in 1943/January, 1944, where he continued his practice until retirement in 1968. Paul had served as a barber in the town of Auburn for approximately forty-years...he probably was the longest serving barber in this town and definitely was the most nomadic barber in town.
Paul was born on 11/17/1903 in Suedberg, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of George Klinger and Elanora (spelled "Eleanor" in Paul's obituary - possibly Anglicized) Olt (misspelled "Oldt" in Paul's obituary) Klinger. He was a brother of Harvey Klinger; Ira George Klinger; and Jennie (or Jenny) Klinger Mease. On 03/07/1925, Paul married Annie E. (Reinhard or Reinhart) Klinger. They had the following children: Anna E. Klinger Adams; Clarence George Klinger (who also served as a barber but not in Auburn); Eugene G. Klinger; and Guy G. Klinger. Paul was a member of the Auburn Game and Fish Association. Paul died on 06/07/1998 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, PA. |
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Klinger's barber shop (second Auburn-area location?) - Unspecified address within the 100 block of Market Street of Auburn on the south side of the street near the intersection of Front and Market Streets. Paul Klinger, Barber. Presumably, the business name of this site was "Klinger's Barber Shop", which was the confirmed name of his enterprise by 1935, but that is presently uncertain. According to a newspaper article from "The Call" dated 01/27/1933, Paul Klinger was moving his "tonsorial (related to hairdressing) equipment from his Market Street residence into the property vacated by Harry Huber"...which is deduced as having been located on Front Street. Presumably, the business name of this site was "Klinger's Barber Shop", which was the confirmed name of his enterprise by 1935, but that is presently uncertain. Paul Klinger apparently operated a barber shop at (at least) five different Auburn locations over the years, having served the Auburn area since circa 1929. An article in "The Call" newspaper indicates he had operated his (original?) barber shop at an unspecified location at the corner of Second and Market Streets until circa 1932, prior to moving further east on Market Street to his second location. In 1933, moved to a Front Street location for his third location. His third location was situated at Front Street in a small, one-story structure three buildings south from the intersection of Front and Market Streets. He advertsied providing "satisfying" service such as "Hair Bobbing; Hair Cutting; Shaving"; and offered to sharpen "Razors and Shears". By 1935, he relocated from this site to a fourth location, an unspecified site on Market Street (once again), before finally relocating to his fifth and final location at 119 Market Street in 1943/January, 1944, where he continued his practice until retirement in 1968. Paul had served as a barber in the town of Auburn for approximately forty-years...he probably was the longest serving barber in this town and definitely was the most nomadic barber in town.
Paul was born on 11/17/1903 in Suedberg, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of George Klinger and Elanora (spelled "Eleanor" in Paul's obituary - possibly Anglicized) Olt (misspelled "Oldt" in Paul's obituary) Klinger. He was a brother of Harvey Klinger; Ira George Klinger; and Jennie (or Jenny) Klinger Mease. On 03/07/1925, Paul married Annie E. (Reinhard or Reinhart) Klinger. They had the following children: Anna E. Klinger Adams; Clarence George Klinger (who also served as a barber but not in Auburn); Eugene G. Klinger; and Guy G. Klinger. Paul was a member of the Auburn Game and Fish Association. Paul died on 06/07/1998 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, PA. |
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"Klinger's Barber Shop" (third Auburn-area location?) - Front Street. Paul Klinger, barber. Paul Klinger apparently operated a barber shop at (at least) five different Auburn locations over the years, having served the Auburn area since circa 1929. An article in "The Call" newspaper indicates he had operated his (original?) barber shop at an unspecified location at the corner of Second and Market Streets until circa 1932, prior to moving further east on Market Street to his second location. In 1933, moved to a Front Street location for his third location. His third location was situated at Front Street in a small, one-story structure three buildings south from the intersection of Front and Market Streets. He advertsied providing "satisfying" service such as "Hair Bobbing; Hair Cutting; Shaving"; and offered to sharpen "Razors and Shears". By 1935, he relocated from this site to a fourth location, an unspecified site on Market Street (once again), before finally relocating to his fifth and final location at 119 Market Street in 1943/January, 1944, where he continued his practice until retirement in 1968. Paul had served as a barber in the town of Auburn for approximately forty-years...he probably was the longest serving barber in this town and definitely was the most nomadic barber in town.
Prior to Paul, two other barbers (at least) are believed to have operated from this Front Street shop. The earlier one would have been Willard Bonawitz (listed above), having operated a barber shop here circa the mid-1920s until circa August, 1928. The next barber would have been Harry Elias Huber, who operated the shop from circa August, 1928 until he sold it to Paul. Paul is believed to have operated from this site circa 1933 until he relocated his business from the Front Street location to his "new" (fourth) location at an unspecified Market Street location circa 1935. Paul was born on 11/17/1903 in Suedberg, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of George Klinger and Elanora (spelled "Eleanor" in Paul's obituary - possibly Anglicized) Olt (misspelled "Oldt" in Paul's obituary) Klinger. He was a brother of Harvey Klinger; Ira George Klinger; and Jennie (or Jenny) Klinger Mease. On 03/07/1925, Paul married Annie E. (Reinhard or Reinhart) Klinger. They had the following children: Anna E. Klinger Adams; Clarence George Klinger (who also served as a barber but not in Auburn); Eugene G. Klinger; and Guy G. Klinger. Paul was a member of the Auburn Game and Fish Association. Paul died on 06/07/1998 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, PA. |
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Klinger's barber shop (fourth Auburn-area location?) - Market Street, Paul Klinger, barber. This shop was presumably also officially named "Klinger's Barber Shop" as has been established for his third location, but that presumption has not yet been confirmed. Paul Klinger apparently operated a barber shop at (at least) five different Auburn locations over the years, having served the Auburn area since circa 1929. An article in "The Call" newspaper indicates he had operated his (original?) barber shop at an unspecified location at the corner of Second and Market Streets until circa 1932, prior to moving further east on Market Street to his second location. In 1933, moved to a Front Street location for his third location. His third location was situated at Front Street in a small, one-story structure three buildings south from the intersection of Front and Market Streets. He advertsied providing "satisfying" service such as "Hair Bobbing; Hair Cutting; Shaving"; and offered to sharpen "Razors and Shears". By 1935, he relocated from this site to a fourth location, an unspecified site on Market Street (once again), before finally relocating to his fifth and final location at 119 Market Street in 1943/January, 1944, where he continued his practice until retirement in 1968. Paul had served as a barber in the town of Auburn for approximately forty-years...he probably was the longest serving barber in this town and definitely was the most nomadic barber in town.
Paul was born on 11/17/1903 in Suedberg, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of George Klinger and Elanora (spelled "Eleanor" in Paul's obituary - possibly Anglicized) Olt (misspelled "Oldt" in Paul's obituary) Klinger. He was a brother of Harvey Klinger; Ira George Klinger; and Jennie (or Jenny) Klinger Mease. On 03/07/1925, Paul married Annie E. (Reinhard or Reinhart) Klinger. They had the following children: Anna E. Klinger Adams; Clarence George Klinger (who also served as a barber but not in Auburn); Eugene G. Klinger; and Guy G. Klinger. Paul was a member of the Auburn Game and Fish Association. Paul died on 06/07/1998 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, PA. |
Klinger's barber shop (fifth Auburn-area location?) - 119 Market Street. Paul Kinger, barber. This shop was presumably also officially named "Klinger's Barber Shop" as has been established for his third location, but that presumption has not yet been confirmed. Paul and his wife Annie E. Klinger lived at, and Paul presumably operated his barber shop from this location from circa 1943 until circa 1968 when he retired, moving from this residence in February, 1969. Paul Klinger apparently operated a barber shop at (at least) five different Auburn locations over the years, having served the Auburn area since circa 1929. An article in "The Call" newspaper indicates he had operated his (original?) barber shop at an unspecified location at the corner of Second and Market Streets until circa 1932, prior to moving further east on Market Street to his second location. In 1933, moved to a Front Street location for his third location. His third location was situated at Front Street in a small, one-story structure three buildings south from the intersection of Front and Market Streets. He advertsied providing "satisfying" service such as "Hair Bobbing; Hair Cutting; Shaving"; and offered to sharpen "Razors and Shears". By 1935, he relocated from this site to a fourth location, an unspecified site on Market Street (once again), before finally relocating to his fifth and final location at 119 Market Street in 1943/January, 1944, where he continued his practice until retirement in 1968. Paul had served as a barber in the town of Auburn for approximately forty-years...he probably was the longest serving barber in this town and definitely was the most nomadic barber in town.
Paul was born on 11/17/1903 in Suedberg, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of George Klinger and Elanora (spelled "Eleanor" in Paul's obituary - possibly Anglicized) Olt (misspelled "Oldt" in Paul's obituary) Klinger. He was a brother of Harvey Klinger; Ira George Klinger; and Jennie (or Jenny) Klinger Mease. On 03/07/1925, Paul married Annie E. (Reinhard or Reinhart) Klinger. They had the following children: Anna E. Klinger Adams; Clarence George Klinger (who also served as a barber but not in Auburn); Eugene G. Klinger; and Guy G. Klinger. Paul was a member of the Auburn Game and Fish Association. Paul died on 06/07/1998 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, PA. |
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Lindermuth's barber shop - 119 Market Street. The ownership of the structure (residence and/or barber shop) is somewhat murky here...it is believed that the Lindermuth's name was added to the deed previously owned by Ella A. Berger Moyer and Morgan W. Moyer sometime between 1938 and 1943; and those parties subsequently sold the structure/property to Paul Klinger and Annie E. Klinger circa 1943. Occupants of the building during the Lindermuth's residency included a Helen P. Lindermuth; Howard Berger Lindermuth (Sr.) (who was the Moyer's son-in-law); Howard Berger Lindermuth Jr.; Lee M. Lindermuth and Mary M. Sousley Lindermuth. A local historian believed that a "Lindermuth" operated a barber shop at this site; however, which individual or individuals performed duties as a barber during this occupancy is uncertain at this time. Additionally, a thorough search of the Internet failed to produce any results for any Lindermuth having operated a barber shop in Auburn during this time span. As a result, unless additional details surface, the presumption is that the historian was mistaken, and that no barber shop was operated from this location by anyone named Lindermuth, even though the prior occupant, Morgan W. Moyer, and the subsequent occupant, Paul Klinger, both operated a barber shop here.
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Miller's beauty parlor/salon/shop/shoppe - (see: "Elaine
Miller's Beauty Salon" - posted above) |
Moyer's barber shop - Unknown location. Circa August, 1908 until circa December, 1912. Lucian Hiram Moyer, barber. According to a snippet from the Press Herald newspaper dated 07/31/1908, Auburn-based barber Harry Fey, whose barber shop location is presently uncertain, sold his fixtures of his "shaving parlor" and his "newspaper business" to Lucian Moyer, who intends to assume the mantel the following day.
In a Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 05/20/1912, a story is listed about a friendly wager between Auburn-area resident William Steffe and Lucian H. Moyer as to which of them was a better shot shooting live birds. Although Lucian apparently was a reasonable shot, William Steffe bested him in two contests. Later that same year, a snippet from the Press Herald newspaper dated 11/29/1912 informs us that Lucian sold his barber shop in Auburn to Wilson Reed, who continued the barber trade there. By January, 1913, Lucian had relocated to Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA from Auburn. Lucian Hiram Moyer was born on 06/06/1868 in Port Clinton, Schuylkill County, PA. He was a son of Joseph Moyer and Sarah Anna Mengel Moyer. He was a brother of Elmira Moyer Cauler; Eva Moyer Rothgaber; Irwin C. Moyer (who only lived sixteen years, nine months, six days); John B. Moyer; Joseph E. Moyer; and Vincent H. Moyer; and was a step-brother of Charles A. Moyer. Lucian was married twice. His first wife was Emma Potts Moyer, whom he married in 1894. They had a child: Phronie Mae Moyer. Emma died in 1911. Presumably sometime after 1916, Lucian married his second wife Kathryn "Katie" Laura Oxenreider Michael Moyer (Lucian was her second husband, with her first husband, James P. Michael, having died in 1916). There is no record of any children by this union. Lucian died of a cerebral hemorrhage on 02/24/1933 at his home in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA, and was interred within the St. John's Gernants Church cemetery, Leesport, Berks County, PA. |
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Moyer's barber shop - 119 Market Street. Circa 1889 until circa 1907. Morgan W. Moyer (Sr.?), barber. Early documentation suggests that Morgan W. Moyer (Sr.?) had a barber shop located on Market Street of Auburn circa the 1890s. Transfers of deeds indicate that Morgan (Sr.?) may have purchased the structure circa 1889 from a "Jacob Kramer".
The website findagrave.com contains a listing for Morgan W. Moyer (Sr.?). Morgan (Sr.?) was born on 04/22/1859 in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jackson Benneville Moyer and Mary Christ Moyer. He was a brother of Annie Matilda Moyer Fegley Miller Weingart and Elizabeth Moyer Shollenberger. His obituary mentions that his funeral was attended by his sister "Mrs. W. A. Hawk", who was the wife of a "Dr. W. A. Hawk". A woman who fits this criteria has been identified as "Ellen A. (Moyer?) Hawk", who was born in 1863 and who died in 1944. Ellen A. Hawk married a Dr. William A. Hawk of Tower City, so she presumably is the unidentified sister mentioned in the obituary. Morgan married Ella A. Beard Moyer. They had a daughter: May Florence Moyer Lindermuth; and presumably had a son, Morgan Moyer (Jr.?). NOTE: Within the content posted below, if a reference is made to a "Morgan", it should be presumed to allude to Morgan W. Moyer (Sr.?) unless the (Jr.?) is specified with the name. On the 1875 DeBeers Atlas Map of Auburn, PA, the property is indicative of a vacant (undeveloped) lot owned by a "J. Kramer". The Schuylkill County Parcel Locator tool states the structure is believed to have been constructed in 1880 (presumably by Jacob, who then sold the building to Morgan W. Moyer). There were at least two individuals of the name of Jacob Kramer living in Auburn circa that time...a "Jacob Kramer (Sr.?)" and his son, "Jacob Kramer (Jr.?)". Jacob Kramer (Sr.?) was one of the earliest canal boatmen on the Schuylkill Navigation System, was born locally, and would have been approximately sixty-seven years of age when the house was built. Jacob Kramer (Jr.?) was born locally and married a local girl in 1870. He would have been approximately thirty-eight years of age when the house was built in 1880. Which of these Jacob Kramer's occupied the structure at 119 Market Street is uncertain at this time. Presently, there is no indication that Jacob had utilized a portion of the building as a barber shop prior to selling it to Morgan, so Morgan may have been the first of numerous barbers to utilize this structure as a barber shop. Ownership of the building is recorded as having eventually transferred from Morgan to Ella A. Morgan circa 1907, who in turn is believed to have sold the building to the Lindermuth family. Presumably at some point within the period of 1889 until 1907, Morgan operated his barber shop out of this location during his occupancy. A Reading Times newspaper snippet dated 02/12/1889 indicates that Morgan W. Moyer of Auburn was previously a barber in Reading, Berks County, PA. According to a snippet dated 01/24/1890 from the Press Herald newspaper, Morgan was in a hair-cutting contest with another Auburn barber, Richard Seidel, at the Auburn Cornet Band fair. Richard earned $108.00 while Morgan earned an impressive $148.70, winning the prize of a barber chair valued at $50. Also in September of 1890, the Press Herald informs us that Morgan intends to erect a "two-story brick dwelling house next to his present residence"...which by inference would imply the structure presently located at 117 Market Street in Auburn. The Pottsville Republican newspaper edition of 12/28/1892 lists a sale of "one-and-one-half lots" in Auburn, for a price of $150, from Morgan W. Moyer to the "Free Gospel Chapel of Heavenly Recruits". Currently, the location of that church property is uncertain as there exists multiple buildings in Auburn that once contained some type of less-common denomination church within them, but none of those sites have been known to have been affiliated with a congregation by this name. Newspaper snippets lists an "M. Moyer, barber, Auburn" as a juror selection in 1893 & 1906. According to the Press-Herald newspaper dated 02/21/1895, Morgan was elected to serve a two-year term on the Auburn Borough Council. In February, 1896, the Reading Eagle newspaper read "M. W. Moyer and Charles Fahl will shortly open a neckwear factory. Material and machinery have been secured; also an expert forelady from New York city. They will employ a number of hands." On April 4, 1896, the same newspaper stated "The necktie factory of Fahl & Moyer is turning out good work under the supervision of Miss Edna Brown, of Phila." A non-sourced news snippet dated 06/27/1896 stated that Morgan Moyer sold a lot in Auburn to Alfred Lindermuth, who in turn sold a premises in Auburn to Mary Faust, who in turn sold a premises in Auburn to Harry Carl... "The Call" newspaper dated 09/28/1900 refers to Morgan Moyer's neckwear factory by the name of the "Auburn Neckwear Works". Both the newspapers, "The Call" and the "Press Herald", dated 05/24/1901, inform us of A. K. Frederici taking possession of the "store" vacated by Morgan Moyer, while Morgan takes over the premises of "J. Runkle's house on Market st." in Auburn. Aaron Krause "A. K." Frederici is believed to have operated a single retail store in more than one location of Auburn during the time span of circa 1877 until circa 1905. One of those locations is believed to have been situated at 140 Market Street, or the northeast corner of Market and Second Streets, of Auburn. Whether this was previously the Morgan Moyer property referred to is uncertain at this time. Additionally, the term "store" seems reasonably specific compared to the term "shop", which could simply imply a barber shop, so it is believed that Morgan may have operated a retail store within town, especially based on the information contained within the next paragraph. A unsubstantiated list on an undated and unidentified source document indicates that a "Morgan Moyer" operated a "general store" in Auburn at one time. Based on Morgan W. Moyer's entrepreneurship, there is a strong possibility that he may have been the same person who operated the barber shop, the coal washery, the neckwear factory, various properties within Auburn and the general store. There is record of an "E. B. Fisher" having sold a property to Morgan W. Moyer as a "premises in Auburn" according to a newspaper article from the Pottsville Republican dated 04/16/1902, but it does not specify a location. A snippet form the Pottsville Republican dated 09/19/1898 states that Morgan Moyer bought unspecified premises in Auburn. In a somewhat puzzling public listing of Auburn real estate for sale by Morgan W. Moyer within the Miners Journal newspaper dated 05/29/1902, the propery is listed as being adjacent to Market Street (which is understandable) and Valley Street (which is where the confusion arises...there is no known map, or any other known historical document, which mentions a roadway known as "Valley Street" in Auburn. By process of elimination, Valley Street would have had to have been either what is presently known as "Liberty Alley" or what is presently known as "Pear Alley". An 1875 DeBeers Atlas map of Auburn indicates that the name of "Liberty Alley" pre-dates the 1902 mention of "Valley Street", so presumably it would not have been confused with Liberty Alley. However; strangely enough, the DeBeers Atlast map does not have the other alley, now known as Pear Alley, identified at all, even though the map apparently listed all of the other alleys. A possiblity existed that perhaps this alley was at one time named "Valley Street", although why that name would be excluded from the Atlas in unknown, nor does it make sense to assign such a grand name as "Vallley Street" to this roadway when it was clearly just an alley between two other more substantial streets already in existence. However, after an intensive Internet search, a second reference was found, dated five years later, in which real estate was again being sold, this time the lot was defined as between Orchard Street and Valley Street. By process of elimination, this would infer that "Valley Street" is a prior name for what has been known as Pear Alley for over 100 years now. An article from the Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 03/13/1903 informs us of the dissolution of a "partnership" between James D. Matz and M. W. Moyer; but at this point in time, the nature of that partnership is currently unknown other than it was referred to as "M. W. Moyer and Co.". By 1906, Morgan was branching out into the coal recovery business. In a column titled "Auburn Shale" of the Miners Journal newspaper dated 07/19/1906, it states "The massive river coal washery, the largest in the county, located in the river at the farm of Senator Quail and owned by Messrs. C. W. Grimes and Morgan W. Moyer, of this place, will be ready for operation by Friday or Saturday and all appearances promise a large out-put of coal." An undated snippet from the Miners Journal newspaper seems to support the belief that the Moyer and Grimes coal washery is a successful venture in stated "AUBURN SHALE - Moyer and Grimes are shipping large quantities of river washery coal to various points." Another snippet from the Miners Journal newspaper, this one dated 08/11/1906, informs us that several residents of Auburn are under the medical care of Dr. Robinhold due to being striken with "typhoid malaria" to include Morgan Moyer, Sr.. If this snippet is correct and isn't a misprint, then this would imply that the business entreprenuar, Morgan W. Moyer, had a son who was also named Morgan Moyer, since Morgan W. Moyer's own father was named Jackson Benneville Moyer. Unfortunately, Morgan's entreprenuarship and incredible work ethich may have ultimately lead to his untimely demise. According to his obituary and other death announcements printed in various papers, Morgan was working at his coal washery on November 2, 1907. He was cleaning screens about 20' above the base of the washery when his clothing became caught in a revolving shaft of a "hoisting machine". One article simply states that he was "whirled to his death" while another article carried a graphic headline of "Morgan W. Moyer beheaded - caught in machinery". That article details the following event: "Morgan W. Moyer, of Auburn, while repairing machinery at that place today was caught in the machinery and had his head severed". Morgan was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. This incredibly driven and apparently hard-working individual died at the relatively young age of only forty-eight years. |
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Moyer's barber shop (Possible first location?) - Second and Market Streets, exact address uncertain. Oliver "Ollie" Moyer, barber. (circa ? - circa October, 1923?).
A newspaper article from the Pottsville Republican dated 10/20/1923 states that Oliver Moyer is moving from "Second and Market Streets" in Auburn to Orwigsburg; however, that article does not specify whether or not Oliver was a practicing barber at that time. |
Moyer's barber shop (Possible second location?) - Within the "west end of the Hotel Auburn", Market Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Oliver "Ollie" Moyer, barber. (circa 1933 until circa 1940?).
An undated and nonsourced advertisement promotes twenty-cent haircuts from your "home barber" Oliver "Ollie" Moyer of Auburn. A snippet from "The Call" newspaper dated 01/27/1933 informs the public that Oliver Moyer has opened a barber shop in the "west end" of the Hotel Auburn (on Market Street). Surprisingly, the genealogical website findagrave.com has a listing for three "Oliver Moyer" interments of this era having occurred within Schuylkill County alone. The information provided on that website is too vague to determine which, if any, of these individuals may have been the barber who once served in Auburn, PA. As a result, no further information is available about this person at this time. |
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Reed's barber shop (possible first location?) - Circa 1909 - circa 1912; location unknown. Wilson Henry Reed, barber. According to Wilson's obituary, which was printed in the Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 07/18/1961, he had practiced his occupation for 52 years, meaning he would have started circa 1909 when he was approximately eighteen years old. However, the obituary also incorrectly states that Wilson had been "conducting the business in Sunbury for 52 years" and that he had moved there in 1923. Since his death occurred just thirty-eight years later in 1961, Wilson would have practiced barbering in Sunbury for approximately only thirty eight years, and presumably spent the first fourteen years of his barber career practicing at his Auburn location(s), from circa 1909 until circa April, 1923 when he relocated to Sunbury. If that was the case, his first few years in Auburn as a barber are mostly undocumented. The actual name of his first barber shop, as well as its exact location, is presently unknown. According to a newspaper snippet from the Press Herald newspaper dated 11/29/1912, Wilson "recently purchased the shop of Lucian E. Moyer, at Auburn (at a currently unknown location)" and set up shop there. Where he practiced from circa 1909 until relocating there is unknown.
Wilson was born circa 1891. He was a son of Irvin J. Reed and Emma Clements Reed. He was a brother of Carrie V. Reed Rehrer; Harry Edward Reed (who only lived nine years, four months, five days - dying on January 23, 1903, only three weeks after his sister Mary Emma's death); Marvin Reed; Mary Emma Reed (who only lived fourteen years, four months, twenty-five days - dying on January 2, 1903, preceding her brother Harry Edward's death by exactly three weeks); Minnie Rebecca Reed Barr; and Oscar Isaac Reed. Circa July, 1914, Wilson married Alberta Agnes Clauser Reed. They had the following children: Brua W. Reed and Letha Alberta Reed Hoover. Wilson died of a heart attack on 07/16/1961 at his cottage in Winfield, Union Township, Union County, PA, and was interred within the Northumberland Memorial Park cemetery, Stonington, Northumberland County, PA. |
Reed's barber shop (possible second location?) - Barber shop was (re)established at "the shop of Lucian E. Moyer, at Auburn". Wilson Henry Reed, barber. If Wilson's obituary was correct, he had been practicing the barber trade since 1909. However, a snippet from the Press Herald newspaper dated 11/29/1912 informs us that Wilson was applying his trade at a "new" location, that of "the shop of Lucian E. Moyer", by that date. The exact location of this shop, as well as the proper business name under which it operated, is currently unknown. A later snippet from the Press Herald newspaper dated 04/26/1918 indicates that Wilson had left this, his possible second barber shop location in Auburn, and relocated to yet a third location that was not specified in the news article.
Wilson was born circa 1891. He was a son of Irvin J. Reed and Emma Clements Reed. He was a brother of Carrie V. Reed Rehrer; Harry Edward Reed (who only lived nine years, four months, five days - dying on January 23, 1903, only three weeks after his sister Mary Emma's death); Marvin Reed; Mary Emma Reed (who only lived fourteen years, four months, twenty-five days - dying on January 2, 1903, preceding her brother Harry Edward's death by exactly three weeks); Minnie Rebecca Reed Barr; and Oscar Isaac Reed. Circa July, 1914, Wilson married Alberta Agnes Clauser Reed. They had the following children: Brua W. Reed and Letha Alberta Reed Hoover. Wilson died of a heart attack on 07/16/1961 at his cottage in Winfield, Union Township, Union County, PA, and was interred within the Northumberland Memorial Park cemetery, Stonington, Northumberland County, PA. |
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Seidel's barber shop - Richard Seidel, barber. Not a great deal is known about the barber shop operated by Richard. A Press Herald newspaper dated 05/07/1886 informs us that he was a "popular barber" in Auburn at that time, so he began his barber practice in town by no later than 1886, if not earlier. Another newspaper article from the Press Herald, this one dated 01/24/1890, mentions he is still practicing his tradecraft in Auburn, so he had his shop open until at least 1890, if not much later. Finally, in the 03/10/1900 edition of "The Call" newspaper, Richard's obituary was featured. Although by that date he was residing in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, PA, his obituary states that he was "suffering with that dreaded disease consumption (tuberculosis) for the past two years, during which time he was unable to follow his avocation, which was that of barber. His last place was at Auburn...". As a result, the presumption would be that he last worked as a barber circa 1898 and that was within Auburn. So, this barber shop was in operation from circa 1886 if not earlier until circa 1898; however, the name under which it operated, and its location within the town, is presently unknown. To add to the confusion, a vintage handdrawn map of a portion of early Auburn, dated 06/11/1896, indicated Richard Seidel owned prime real estate facing Front Street in Auburn, sandwiched between William Nagle's store and William Christ's store and dwelling...yet the property lot is vacant with no structures indicated within it.
Richard Seidel was born on 02/02/1858. Circa 1885, Richard married Alice Wagner Seidel. They had the following children: Alice June Seidel (who died when she was only two years, six months, twenty six days); Paul R. Seidel; and Royal Raymond Seidel (who was born on 03/12/1886 and whose date of death is unknown at this time but believed to have been prior to 1900, therefore dying in childhood). Richard died from consumption (tuberculosis) on 03/09/1900 at the age of only forty-two years old in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, PA, and was interred within the Schuylkill Haven Union Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Seigfried's barber shop - (see: "Seigfried's Sanitary Barber
Shop" - posted below) |
"Seigfried's Sanitary Barber Shop" (first location) - Market Street (?). Harvey Henry Seigfried, barber. Advertisements in Auburn High School playbooks and yearbooks indicate that Harvey Seigfried operated his barber shop in Auburn from at least 1953 (if not earlier) until at least 1963 (if not later - possibly until 1969).
Harvey Henry Seigfried was born on 11/09/1924 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. He was a son of Gordon Seigfried and Lillian M. Berger Seigfried. He was a brother of Arthur William Seigfried; Edward Stanley Seigfried; Erma E. Seigfried Snayberger; Ernest Gordon Seigfried; Evelyn M. Seigfried Stager; Howard Seigfried (whose date of birth and date of death are identical: December 21, 1915 - possibly stillborn); Nora R. Seigfried Schaeffer; Reuben Alvester Seigfried; and Sara Jane Seigfried Barron. Harvey served as a "WT2" in the U.S. Navy during World War Two, serving from 06/04/1943 until 01/19/1946. He had been drafted and his tour in the Navy was the first time Harvey was on a large boat. According to him, he spent his first few days hanging over the railing "throwing his insides out". The ship's captain walked by and tapped him on the shoulder and asked "Son, how are you doing?" According to Harvey, he replied "I think I'm throwing it as far as the rest of them are", to which the captain responded "That's the spirit...you'll make a good sailor". However, Harvey's trials and tribulations in the service would become far more serious than mere sea-sickness. On one trip by his ship, the USS Rich, they encountered a total of 30 enemy subs during the voyage and had nearly run out of depth charges to battle them. After that near mishap, the captain stocked so many depth charges on the boat that they were even stacked in the mess hall. In addition to the European Theatre Medal, Harvey was awarded the Purple Heart for having been Wounded In Action. He had been serving as a "boiler tender" aboard the destroyer escort "USS Rich" on June 8, 1944, when the ship struck a mine, which lifted the ship from the water and "blew away" fifty feet of the stern. Harvey was still below-decks when another mine detonated and the concussion was sufficient to knock him unconscious. The ship sank within fifteen minutes of the second detonation. Of the ships 215-man crew of the doomed ship, 89 died and 73 were seriously wounded. Harvey doesn't know how he escaped the bowels of the ship. He was found floating in the water, unconscious, without a life jacket. He considered his survival as nothing short of a miracle. Harvey didn't regain consciousness until he was relocated to Plymouth, England, inside of a giant tent serving as a vast medical triage for the injured men. When he awoke, he could feel nothing below his waist. He remained hospitalized for six months before finally being released. At the point, he could walk again, but physical exertions like running or swimming caused too great of pain in his legs. Harvey states that while he was on military cruises, he had to work an eight-hour shift, but that when he was "off-duty", he would often take a clippers to his shipmates in order to keep their haircuts within military standards. He discovered that he enjoyed the taks and thought that being a barber wouldn't be a bad way to make a living. After he got out of the Navy, he attended barber school, and then practiced that profession from that time until circa 1977. Circa July, 1945, Harvey married Mary Jane Hendricks Seigfried. They had a child: Dennis H. Seigfried. A Pottsville Republican newspaper article dated 09/07/1951 informs us that Harvey H. Seigfried was appealing a decision to suspend his driver's license which had resulted from a charge of reckless driving. According to the Republican Herald newspaper dated 06/04/1953, the Seigfrieds purchased a "premises" on Market Street of Auburn from the Lycoming Telephone Company for $4,000. While unconfirmed at this time, it is possible that the Seigfried's had purchased the property located at 208 Market Street in Auburn, as it is known that the structure once housed the telephone exchange for the town. Interestingly, approximatley six years after his prior motor vehicle violation, the Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 06/21/1957 has an article about Harvey appealing another motor vehicle violation; however, this time, he is claiming that he was a subject of police brutality by two officers of the Schuylkill Haven Police Department, an officer Clyde Manbeck and an officer LaRue Mengel/Mengle. He claims that Officer Mengel/Mengle beat him so severely that he required medical attention. He further claimed that his rights had been violated, that he was no permitted to contact anyone at a hearing held before the Justice of the Peace, and that he was not informed he was entitled to legal advice. He added that he had not even been stopped for a motor vehicle violation but for what the officers called a "routine check-up". At the initial hearing, he had been fined $10 and additional costs of $9. While this website cannot make a final determination of the criminal case brought forth by Schuylkill Haven Police Officer La Rue Mengel/Mengle against Harvey Seigfried (as a ruling on his appeal wasn't found during an Internet search), the search did result in the discovery of at least two separate "traffic stop" prosecutions by Officer Mengel/Mengle that were over-turned by the court system on appeal. The Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 10/25/1963 contained a snippet that informs us that Harvey H. Seigfried and his wife Mary J. Seigfried sold a "property on the north side of Market St., Auburn, for $2,500" George J. Fidler and his wife Dorothy "Pet" V. Fidler of Auburn. Presumably, this may have been the same property the Seigfrieds had purchased a decade earlier for $4,000, with no explanation known currently as to why the property would have been devalued to only 63% of its prior value ten years earlier. A Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 03/20/1969 states that Harvey and Mary Jane purchased a "parcel" in West Brunswick Township for $780...presumably to build their own residence and open a "new" barber shop at that Auburn rural delivery location. The article does not state where the Seigfrieds were currently located, so it is uncertain as to whether Harvey was still a barber in Auburn from 1963 until this article was published in 1969. |
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"Seigfried's Sanitary Barber Shop" (second location) - "two miles east of Auburn" adjacent to Route 895 at what is now known as 2256 Market Street, Auburn. Circa 1969 until circa 1977.
A Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 03/20/1969 states that Harvey and Mary Jane purchased a "parcel" in West Brunswick Township for $780...presumably to build their own residence and open a "new" barber shop at that Auburn rural delivery location which he is believed to have operated until circa 1977. The Call newspaper edition dated 07/14/1977 implies that Harvey Seigfried was employed as a "machinist" at the Hubler Shoes, Inc. factory located adjacent to Bear Creek Street in Auburn. Whether or not Harvey still continued with his barber shop practice on a part-time basis at this point is unknown. The Pottsville Republican newspaper dated 06/20/1980 contained a public sale notice for possessions of Harvey Seigfried (and presumably his wife Mary Jane Seigfried) which provides us with a basic geographical location of his property as being "two miles east of Auburn on Route 895". Harvey's obituary provides us with a final clue to his actual location in West Brunswick Township of Schuylkill County, PA, by stating his (recent) address as that of "2256 Market Street, Auburn". Harvey died on 03/11/2002 in the Good Samaritan Medical Center, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, and was interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Rt. 895, West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Shollenberger's beauty parlor/salon/shop/shoppe -
(see: "Verna Geesaman's Beauty Shoppe"; "Verna's Beauty Salon"; or "Verna('s) Beauty Shoppe" - listed below) |
Spott's beauty parlor/salon/shop/shoppe - (see: "Beatrice's
Beauty Shoppe"; "Beatrice Spotts Beauty Shop"; "Beaty's Beatuy Shop"; or "Beaty's Beauty Shoppe" - posted above) |
"Verna Geesaman Beauty Shoppe" - (a.k.a. "Verna's Beauty Salon"; "Verna's Beauty Shoppe") 115 Market Street. Verna Fietta Shollenberger Geesaman, beautician.
Subsequent to Verna's utilizing the structure for her beauty parlor, a Susan "Sue" L. Alspach more recently operated a beauty parlor from this location. Prior to Sue operating her beauty shop at this location, it was previously utilized for a similar purpose by Verna Shollenberger Geesaman to operate Geesaman's beauty salon and shoppe from circa February, 1930 until circa 1987. Before Verna, the structure was previously utilized as an "ice cream shop" and general store by Verna's parents until her mother died, at which point Verna finished her beauty schooling, then set up shop in her parents' business site. Before it even served as Shollenberger's "ice cream shop", the structure was utilized by Dr. Charles E. Quail Sr. to sell pharmaceuticals at "Doc Quail's Drug Store". It's estimated construction date is listed as 1900 on the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator website, although historical records indicate "Doc" Quail had opened his pharmacy at this location by 1892. Verna Fietta Shollenberger Geesaman was born on 02/21/1906 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. She was the daughter of Ida Louise Wenrich Shollenberger and William Shollenberger, who owned and operated an ice cream parlor at 115 Market Street in Auburn, which would eventually become the same building in which Verna operated her beauty shop. She was the sister of Earnest "Beans" Clayton Shollenberger; Helen Josephina Shollenberger Fritz; and Mabel Katharine Shollenberger Freeman. Verna was a 1923 graduate of the Auburn High School. In August of 1924, Verna was involved in an automobile accident in which she was not at fault, but her automobile was described as having been "badly damaged". She was fortunate to have avoided any injury in the accident. Verna is presumed to have attended beauty school or have apprenticed under another beautician after graduation, because by February, 1930, she had opened her own business of "Verna's Beauty Shoppe" at her parents' prior business location of 115 Market Street in Auburn. By 1948 (if not much earlier), Verna had married Chester "Al" Allen Geesaman, Jr. "Al" would later open a grocery store at 113 Market Street adjacent to Verna's beauty shop. Presently, there is no known children from this union. "Al" died in 1977. Verna sold the property at 115 Market Street, Auburn, to Kirk D. Mack and Marueen E. Mack for a nominal cost of $1. Verna died on 12/15/2000 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, PA, after having resided at the Laurel Nursing Center in Hamburg, Berks County, PA. She was interred within the Schuylkill Memorial Park cemetery, North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
"Verna's Beauty Salon" - (a.k.a. - "Verna Geesaman Beauty Shoppe"; "Verna's Beauty Shoppe") 115 Market Street. Verna Fietta Shollenberger Geesaman, beautician.
Subsequent to Verna's utilizing the structure for her beauty parlor, a Susan "Sue" L. Alspach more recently operated a beauty parlor from this location. Prior to Sue operating her beauty shop at this location, it was previously utilized for a similar purpose by Verna Shollenberger Geesaman to operate Geesaman's beauty salon and shoppe from circa February, 1930 until circa 1987. Before Verna, the structure was previously utilized as an "ice cream shop" and general store by Verna's parents until her mother died, at which point Verna finished her beauty schooling, then set up shop in her parents' business site. Before it even served as Shollenberger's "ice cream shop", the structure was utilized by Dr. Charles E. Quail Sr. to sell pharmaceuticals at "Doc Quail's Drug Store". It's estimated construction date is listed as 1900 on the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator website, although historical records indicate "Doc" Quail had opened his pharmacy at this location by 1892. Verna Fietta Shollenberger Geesaman was born on 02/21/1906 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. She was the daughter of Ida Louise Wenrich Shollenberger and William Shollenberger, who owned and operated an ice cream parlor at 115 Market Street in Auburn, which would eventually become the same building in which Verna operated her beauty shop. She was the sister of Earnest "Beans" Clayton Shollenberger; Helen Josephina Shollenberger Fritz; and Mabel Katharine Shollenberger Freeman. Verna was a 1923 graduate of the Auburn High School. In August of 1924, Verna was involved in an automobile accident in which she was not at fault, but her automobile was described as having been "badly damaged". She was fortunate to have avoided any injury in the accident. Verna is presumed to have attended beauty school or have apprenticed under another beautician after graduation, because by February, 1930, she had opened her own business of "Verna's Beauty Shoppe" at her parents' prior business location of 115 Market Street in Auburn. By 1948 (if not much earlier), Verna had married Chester "Al" Allen Geesaman, Jr. "Al" would later open a grocery store at 113 Market Street adjacent to Verna's beauty shop. Presently, there is no known children from this union. "Al" died in 1977. Verna sold the property at 115 Market Street, Auburn, to Kirk D. Mack and Marueen E. Mack for a nominal cost of $1. Verna died on 12/15/2000 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, PA, after having resided at the Laurel Nursing Center in Hamburg, Berks County, PA. She was interred within the Schuylkill Memorial Park cemetery, North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
"Verna('s) Beauty Shoppe" - (a.k.a. "Verna Geesaman Beauty Shoppe"; "Verna's Beauty Salon") 115 Market Street. Verna Fietta Shollenberger Geesaman, beautician. "Verna's Beauty Shoppe" is believed to have been the first business name by which her enterprise was known.
Subsequent to Verna's utilizing the structure for her beauty parlor, a Susan "Sue" L. Alspach more recently operated a beauty parlor from this location. Prior to Sue operating her beauty shop at this location, it was previously utilized for a similar purpose by Verna Shollenberger Geesaman to operate Geesaman's beauty salon and shoppe from circa February, 1930 until circa 1987. Before Verna, the structure was previously utilized as an "ice cream shop" and general store by Verna's parents until her mother died, at which point Verna finished her beauty schooling, then set up shop in her parents' business site. Before it even served as Shollenberger's "ice cream shop", the structure was utilized by Dr. Charles E. Quail Sr. to sell pharmaceuticals at "Doc Quail's Drug Store". It's estimated construction date is listed as 1900 on the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator website, although historical records indicate "Doc" Quail had opened his pharmacy at this location by 1892. Verna advertised specialities such as "Bonat Permanent Waves; Children's Hair Cutting; Cold Waves; Hair Styling; Manicuring; Permanent Waves; and Scalp Treatment". Originally, you could contact her by telephone by calling "(Auburn) 15-R-2", or a later telephone number of "(Auburn) 2686". Verna Fietta Shollenberger Geesaman was born on 02/21/1906 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. She was the daughter of Ida Louise Wenrich Shollenberger and William Shollenberger, who owned and operated an ice cream parlor at 115 Market Street in Auburn, which would eventually become the same building in which Verna operated her beauty shop. She was the sister of Earnest "Beans" Clayton Shollenberger; Helen Josephina Shollenberger Fritz; and Mabel Katharine Shollenberger Freeman. Verna was a 1923 graduate of the Auburn High School. In August of 1924, Verna was involved in an automobile accident in which she was not at fault, but her automobile was described as having been "badly damaged". She was fortunate to have avoided any injury in the accident. Verna is presumed to have attended beauty school or have apprenticed under another beautician after graduation, because by February, 1930, she had opened her own business of "Verna's Beauty Shoppe" at her parents' prior business location of 115 Market Street in Auburn. By 1948 (if not much earlier), Verna had married Chester "Al" Allen Geesaman, Jr. "Al" would later open a grocery store at 113 Market Street adjacent to Verna's beauty shop. Presently, there is no known children from this union. "Al" died in 1977. Verna sold the property at 115 Market Street, Auburn, to Kirk D. Mack and Marueen E. Mack for a nominal cost of $1. Verna died on 12/15/2000 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, PA, after having resided at the Laurel Nursing Center in Hamburg, Berks County, PA. She was interred within the Schuylkill Memorial Park cemetery, North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Weiss' beauty parlor/shop/shoppe - (see: Weiss' beauty
salon - posted below) |
Weiss' beauty salon - Geraldine A. Zacko Weiss, beautician. 116 Forest Street, Auburn. Geraldine and her husband Joseph (Sr.?) purchased the handsome brick house located at 116 Forest Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, on June 8, 1956. According to "The Call" newspaper edition dated 06/19/1958, approximately two years after having relocated to this address, Geraldine opened a "beauty salon" at this location. Currently, it is uncertain as to how long Geraldine practiced as a beautician there; athough an Auburn High School yearbook advertisement confirms she was still practicing the following year in 1959. Geraldine also was a part-owner and operator of her husband's namesake business, Joseph P. Weiss' Wholesale Meats and Provisions of Auburn, PA, which was founded in 1962.
Geraldine A. Zacko Weiss was born circa 1929 in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA. She was the daughter of Anthony (J. or Leo?) Zacko and Gertrude E. Towey Zacko. She was a sister of Barbara Zacko Thomas and Mary Jane "Jane" E. Zacko Morrison (Jones?). Geraldine graduated from the Pottsville High School and the Empire Beauty School before becoming self-employed as a beautician. In 1948, Geraldine married Joseph P. Weiss (Sr.?). They had a daughter, Susan Weiss Rohn (Kuruc?); and a son, Joseph Weiss (Jr.?). Geraldine died on 09/13/2016 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, Berks County, PA, and was interred within the Calvary Cemetery, Mount Carbon, Schuylkill County, PA. |
NO GRAVE MARKER IMAGE AVAILABLE
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Zimmerman's beauty parlor/salon/shoppe - (see: Zimmer-
man's beauty shop - posted below) |
Zimmerman's beauty shop - Carrie Annie Zimmerman Kerschner, beautician. A newspaper snippet from the Pine Grove Herald dated 04/27/1951 documents the intent of Carrie Zimmerman to "open up a beauty shop in Auburn". However, less than a year later, an article from "The Call" newspaper definitively states that Carrie A. Zimmerman "will take over Shirley Schaeffer's Beauty Shop at 102 E. Main street, Schuylkill Haven"...which would become known as "Carrie's Beauty Parlor" and/or "Carrie's Beauty Shoppe". Whether or not Carrie ever practiced as a beautician in Auburn is presently uncertain but unlikely.
Carrie was born on 07/25/1933. She was a daughter of John Daniel Zimmerman and Helen Clegg Zimmerman. On 07/20/1963, Carrie married Carl D. Kerschner. They had the following children: Carl E. Kerschner and Janice Kerschner. Carrie died on 10/13/1994 in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, PA, and was interred within the Schuylkill Memorial Park cemetery, North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, PA. |
NO GRAVE MARKER IMAGE AVAILABLE
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