Water Transportation
Updated 07/27/2023
Webpage Consultants for the Schuylkill Navigation System:
Brian Bohr, John Bambrick and Sandy Sorlien
Brian Bohr, John Bambrick and Sandy Sorlien
NOTE: If you have any historic information and/or pictures that are relevant to this webpage topic, please share it with us by submitting the material using the "Visitors Input" button below. Thank you!
Internet Links relevant to this topic would include the Amazon book page for the book "Inland: The Abandoned Canals of the Schuykill Navigation" by author Sandy Sorlien at https://www.amazon.com; Facebook page "Port Clinton and the Schuylkill Gap" found at https://www.facebook.com/groups; as well as the link for the Facebook page "Schuylkill Navigation" found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/schuylkillnavigation.
Auburn Boat Club
A news article from an unidentified source tentatively dated 1960 states that the Auburn Boat Club elected officers, reviewed plans for the upcoming year to include repairing the fence where the boats docked and installing seats at the edge of the river, discussed the need for increased parking and voted to drop their annual membership fee to $10.
An issue of the "Pennsylvania Angler" magazine dated June, 1963 makes reference to the "Auburn Motor Boat Club". The snippet states that the club has a private ramp that is able to be used by the public for a small fee.
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There is an "Auburn Boat Club" currently based out of Landingville, Schuylkill County, PA who has a current Facebook page listed at www.facebook.com/groups/708952185964337/members. This Facebook page boasts a current membership as of 05/14/2023 of 57 members. A Brian Engleman is listed as "admin.". Beth Engleman, Jeremy Zulick of Schuylkill Havenand Mike Yoder of Lower Saucon are listed as "moderators". The Facebook page is listed as "Private" and only members can view its posts.
A webpage titled "Open Corporates" located at opencorporates.com/companies/us_pa/22489 lists a non-profit organization called the Auburn Boat Club, established January 1, 1900, with a mailing address of P. O. Box 284, Schuylkill Haven, PA. The same website lists a second Pennsylvania-based group called the Auburn Boat Club but this club was supposedly incorporated on March 10, 1964...which would have been after the tentative dating of the news article cited above. However, that does not preclude the possibility that this was the same group cited in the news article but that they simply didn't seek incorporation until a few years after they were established.
A third website suggests that an organization named the Auburn Boat Club is located near the Landingville Dam, Landingville, Schuylkill County, PA.
Whether or not these organizations are the same group that was listed in the 1960 news article and/or the 1963 magazine issue, and that distributed the below-featured decal, is uncertain.
An issue of the "Pennsylvania Angler" magazine dated June, 1963 makes reference to the "Auburn Motor Boat Club". The snippet states that the club has a private ramp that is able to be used by the public for a small fee.
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There is an "Auburn Boat Club" currently based out of Landingville, Schuylkill County, PA who has a current Facebook page listed at www.facebook.com/groups/708952185964337/members. This Facebook page boasts a current membership as of 05/14/2023 of 57 members. A Brian Engleman is listed as "admin.". Beth Engleman, Jeremy Zulick of Schuylkill Havenand Mike Yoder of Lower Saucon are listed as "moderators". The Facebook page is listed as "Private" and only members can view its posts.
A webpage titled "Open Corporates" located at opencorporates.com/companies/us_pa/22489 lists a non-profit organization called the Auburn Boat Club, established January 1, 1900, with a mailing address of P. O. Box 284, Schuylkill Haven, PA. The same website lists a second Pennsylvania-based group called the Auburn Boat Club but this club was supposedly incorporated on March 10, 1964...which would have been after the tentative dating of the news article cited above. However, that does not preclude the possibility that this was the same group cited in the news article but that they simply didn't seek incorporation until a few years after they were established.
A third website suggests that an organization named the Auburn Boat Club is located near the Landingville Dam, Landingville, Schuylkill County, PA.
Whether or not these organizations are the same group that was listed in the 1960 news article and/or the 1963 magazine issue, and that distributed the below-featured decal, is uncertain.
Auburn Boat Club Members:
Adams, Donald of Pottsville Ego, John of Minersville (Treasurer) Fritz, Leroy of Auburn (Vice-Commodore) Haslem, Ray of Wadesville (Secretary) Heim, Kenneth of Schuylkill Haven Krammes, Ira of Orwigsburg Saxe, Al of Pottsville Seiler, George of Auburn Snyder, John of Auburn (Commodore) Swoyer, Gerald of Auburn Swoyer, Joseph of Auburn Wojcik, Philip of Pottsville Woodland, Dr. J. H. of Schuylkill Haven |
Schuylkill Navigation System (a.k.a. - Schuylkill "Canal")
"The Schuylkill Canal's Impact on Auburn, Pennsylvania" - is a fascinating account of the incredible undertaking that was performed by our ancestors when they decided to construct the Schuylkill Navigation System, more commonly referred to as the Schuylkill Canal. From it’s very inception to the regrettable final chapter of this massive enterprise, this DVD tells the story of the Schuylkill Canal’s impact on the Auburn area and how it contributed significantly to the development of the town now known as Auburn, Penna. You can purchase this DVD for only $5.00 with all proceeds benefiting the AAHS! Just click on the button below marked "Presentation DVDs" to access our sales page.
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Schuylkill Navigation System Information
Fatalities (relevant to Auburn) on
the Schuylkill Navigation System and/or the Schuylkill River
the Schuylkill Navigation System and/or the Schuylkill River
Burkey, Robert William Jr. - Cause of Death: Drowning (1956 - 1965) - "Robert William Burkey, Jr., eight year old son of Robert W. Burkey Sr. and Barbara Staller Burkey, Market St., Auburn, died yesterday at 12:25 p.m. of drowning in the Schuylkill River, one and one-half blocks from his home. The boy, together with five other boys all around the same age, was swimming near the railroad tracks along Rt. 895, east of Auburn, a place where they had been forbidden to swim. Robert, an inexperienced swimmer, was caught in the under-current. His friends threw a rope to him but the current pulled the youngster under and the boys were unable to swim to his aid. Several of the boys ran home and told their parents that the body was floating on top of the water. The adults called the Auburn Ambulance and Deputy Coroner Dr. Warren Moyer (of Auburn), who pronounced the boy dead and released the body to the Binner Funeral Home (of Auburn)." (Excerpt from an unidentified newspaper clipping from 1965).
Robert was born on October 27, 1956 in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA. In addition to his afore-mentioned parents, Robert also had a brother Keith William Burkey who died in 1969 at 17 years of age. Robert was interred within the St. John's Church Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Duff, John J. - "CLEARING A MYSTERY. NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DEATH OF JOHN DUFF. Deputy Coroner A. K. Bace, of Auburn, Re-Opens the Inquisition Over a Strange Death: Deputy Coroner A. K. Bace, of Auburn, has decided to recall his papers in the inquisition concerning the finding of the body of John J. Duff in the river, and he will re-open the investigation. The jury empaneled by Deputy Coroner Bace simply established the identity of the man and then returned a verdict that he came to his death by accident drowning. P. M. Dunn, Esq., has been employed by the family to clear the mystery surrounding the man's death. He went to Auburn yesterday to hunt up evidence, and recovered the gold ring worn by the deceased, and found by several children. The ring has a heavy setting inscribed with the letter "D". At the spot where the ring was found three dimes and a note book were also discovered. The finders gave the book to a young man named Charles Auman, of Auburn. Deputy Coroner Bace will reclaim the book, as it evidently belonged to Mr. Duff and may contain something of value in aiding the authorities in their investigation. The crew of that coal train that took Mr. Duff to Auburn will be summoned before the Deputy Coroner. Conductor Glassmire, of the Schuylkill Electric Railway Company, who saw Mr. Duff board the coal train at Palo Alto will also be called upon to testify. Mr. Dunn made the discovery, while at Auburn, that the money and jewelry were found near a stone bridge about a mile north of Auburn. The earth is slightly elevated on the west side of the tracks and a ditch opens between the south bound track and the embankment, or rather shelf-like elevation. It is believed the unfortunate man got off his car at this point while the engine was taking water at the tank some distance south or was thrown off and sat down on the west side of the ditch. He may have left this spot before or after the train started and fell headlong through the bridge. The water was deep at that time and the current may have washed the body to the point where it was found, nearly two miles south. The river describes an eastward bend above Auburn and the water is about 100 yards away from the railroad, where the body was found." - Undated and unidentified source for this news article.
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John J. Duff was born in Jonestown, Schuylkill County, PA circa 1859. He was the son of Joseph Duff and Mary Downey Duff. He was a brother to Ellen Duff McKeown, Mary Duff Connelly and William Duff. He married Kate "Katie" Breslin Duff. They had two children, John Lin Duff and Mary S. Duff.
John died on November 5, 1894. His place of death is listed as "Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA." His grave marker inscription reads "35 years". He was interred within the Saint Vincent de Paul Cemetery #1, Minersville, Schuylkill County, PA. |
Heck, Reverend Abraham R. - "FOUND DROWNED. Abraham Heck, aged 84, Lost His Way at Night and Fell into the Schuylkill Canal - Found Dead standing in the Mud - Auburn: Abraham Heck, of Auburn, was found drowned in the Schuylkill canal, here, opposite Isaac Hoffmaster's store at the locks, Sunday morning, about 6 o'clock. Mr. Heck was at Adamsdale and came down on the Penn'a railroad at 8 o'clock Saturday evening, and started for home in town. It looks now as if Mr. Heck was the man who was calling to Night Operator Harvey L. Bausher, about 8:30 p.m. while on his way to town with a hand lantern-it being very dark. "Bring your light in here. I have lost the path, and I can't find my way out". This path leads from the river bridge across the low-land to the canal, thence down the towpath to the locks, were there is a foot bridge across. Mr. Bausher could not recognize the man's voice and did not trust to go near. Mr. Heck must have continued in this path and walked over the lock walls and into the canal, where he was found by Nathan Folk, sticking in about 7 feet of water. This is a dangerous point, as there are no guardrails to keep parties from stumbling into this death trap." - The Reading Eagle, Reading, PA Monday April 13, 1896 page 1. (Note: Night Operator Harvey L Bausher who attended the lock that evening had reason for his reluctance to travel into the deep darkness of night in search of a "victim" as this ploy had been successfully used to lure locks keepers, boatmen, travelers and other less vigilant persons into a trap where they would be robbed at best or robbed, beaten, assaulted and/or murdered at worst.)
findagrave.com has a listing for Abraham R. Heck as having been interred within the St. John's Church Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA; however; no physical evidence, nor burial or church records, exist of an Abraham Heck having been interred within this cemetery; yet his children Catherine Heck Sowers, Elisabeth Heck, John F. Heck, Mary Heck Mellon and Sarah F. Heck Hassler are all interred within this cemetery, and his daughter Sarah is interred on a lot within this cemetery which was purchased in Abraham's name. Both his wife Elizabeth Fisher Heck and his son Samuel are also listed on findagrave.com as having been interred within this cemetery; however, no physical evidence, nor burial or church records, exist to support that information.
Abraham was born in Fleetwood, Berks County, PA circa 1815. He married Elizabeth Fisher Heck. He was a father of Catherine Heck Sowers, Elisabeth Heck, John F. Heck, Mary F. Heck Mellon, Samuel Heck and Sarah F. Heck Hassler. His place of death is listed as Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA with his age at death estimated to be either 80 or 81 years.
Although there exists a discrepancy in his age between the news article cited above (84 years old) and the information on findagrave.com (80 or 81 years old), the fact that this article ran the day after Abraham Heck of the findagrave.listing died is too coincidental to dismiss the probability that this is the same individual.
A news article found on-line but not dated or sourced states that "Abram R. Heck" had been a Reverend who preached the Gospel for approx. 70 years.
findagrave.com has a listing for Abraham R. Heck as having been interred within the St. John's Church Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA; however; no physical evidence, nor burial or church records, exist of an Abraham Heck having been interred within this cemetery; yet his children Catherine Heck Sowers, Elisabeth Heck, John F. Heck, Mary Heck Mellon and Sarah F. Heck Hassler are all interred within this cemetery, and his daughter Sarah is interred on a lot within this cemetery which was purchased in Abraham's name. Both his wife Elizabeth Fisher Heck and his son Samuel are also listed on findagrave.com as having been interred within this cemetery; however, no physical evidence, nor burial or church records, exist to support that information.
Abraham was born in Fleetwood, Berks County, PA circa 1815. He married Elizabeth Fisher Heck. He was a father of Catherine Heck Sowers, Elisabeth Heck, John F. Heck, Mary F. Heck Mellon, Samuel Heck and Sarah F. Heck Hassler. His place of death is listed as Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA with his age at death estimated to be either 80 or 81 years.
Although there exists a discrepancy in his age between the news article cited above (84 years old) and the information on findagrave.com (80 or 81 years old), the fact that this article ran the day after Abraham Heck of the findagrave.listing died is too coincidental to dismiss the probability that this is the same individual.
A news article found on-line but not dated or sourced states that "Abram R. Heck" had been a Reverend who preached the Gospel for approx. 70 years.
Kelly, John - "Found Drowned in the Canal. The body of an unknown man was found in the Schuylkill canal at Auburn on Friday. The body was taken charge by the deputy coroner, Jackson Moyer, and was viewed by people from far and near. None who saw the remains recognized them. The body appeared to be that of a man of 45 years of age, 5 feet, 6 inches in height and 140 lbs in weight. The head is covered with reddish hair and the chin with whiskers of the same. Hands and arms are freckled. One tooth is missing from the upper jaw; three teeth are gone from the lower jaw in front. The left arm is broken at the elbow. The body is supposed to have been in the water eight days. It was attired, when found, in shoes and socks, part of a shirt and a pair of grey Kentucky jean trousers. Slight abrasions were noticeable on the head and face. Samuel K. Moyer, Samuel Kremer, Fred. Young, V. P. Faust, John Kershner and Abraham Heck were empaneled as a jury by the deputy coroner. They viewed the remains and heard the testimony of Dr. Charles E. Quail. They returned a verdict to the effect, "That the said unknown man was found in the Schuylkill canal, dead, and that his death resulted from causes unknown to the jury."
The body was taken to the county almshouse, at Schuylkill Haven, for burial. A dispatch from Auburn, received at a late hour last night, is to the following effect: "The man found drowned in the canal to day is supposed to be John Kelly, of Pottsville. He formally taught school at Tuscarora. Of late he has been selling notions throughout the county". The body was brought from Schuylkill Haven on Monday, and buried in No. 3 cemetery here. The deceased was at one time a school teacher at Tuscarora, and even after he became the slave of drink used language which betokened him a man of some education. After his first fall he was reclaimed by advocates of temperance here, took the pledge and kept it for three years. He again fell from grace and become a peddler of notions. His profits were expended for stimulants, and it is supposed while under the influence of these he fell into the canal and was drowned." - The Weekly Miners' Journal, April 29, 1881.
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"The body of John Kelley, a farmer (former?) resident of Pottsville, was found in the canal Auburn, Schuylkill county, on Saturday." - The Carbon Advocate (Lehighton, PA), April 30, 1881.
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NOTE: The website findagrave.com does not have any listing for a John (or Jonathan) Kelly (or Kelley) having been interred anywhere within Schuylkill County, PA in 1881, so his interment cannot be currently verified.
The body was taken to the county almshouse, at Schuylkill Haven, for burial. A dispatch from Auburn, received at a late hour last night, is to the following effect: "The man found drowned in the canal to day is supposed to be John Kelly, of Pottsville. He formally taught school at Tuscarora. Of late he has been selling notions throughout the county". The body was brought from Schuylkill Haven on Monday, and buried in No. 3 cemetery here. The deceased was at one time a school teacher at Tuscarora, and even after he became the slave of drink used language which betokened him a man of some education. After his first fall he was reclaimed by advocates of temperance here, took the pledge and kept it for three years. He again fell from grace and become a peddler of notions. His profits were expended for stimulants, and it is supposed while under the influence of these he fell into the canal and was drowned." - The Weekly Miners' Journal, April 29, 1881.
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"The body of John Kelley, a farmer (former?) resident of Pottsville, was found in the canal Auburn, Schuylkill county, on Saturday." - The Carbon Advocate (Lehighton, PA), April 30, 1881.
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NOTE: The website findagrave.com does not have any listing for a John (or Jonathan) Kelly (or Kelley) having been interred anywhere within Schuylkill County, PA in 1881, so his interment cannot be currently verified.
Kershner, Emil - "Found Dead In His Cabin With a Bullet in His Breast - His Fellow Boatman Taken Into Custody - Auburn: The funeral of Emil Kershner took place from the residence of Geo. Mease. Deceased who was 31 years and 4 days old, was engaged in boating on the Schuylkill and made a trip to Reading and New Jersey. It is said he had considerable money just then. He was not seen about his bat and an investigation followed. He was found dead in his cabin with a bullet hole in his right breast and a revolver lying on the floor. It is suspected that his comrade performed the deed. He was taken into custody at that place. At the burial, deceased was attired in a black shroud and rested in a beautiful walnut coffin. Rev. C. C. Bartells officiated. Interment in the old cemetery. The bearers were: Harry Miller, Frank Nagle, Willie Borkey, Chas. Fahl and Chas. McAllister. Two brothers and one sister survive, both living in town." - The Reading Eagle, Reading, PA Saturday, January 4, 1896 page 4.
(Note: The "old cemetery" would be the original Auburn Public Cemetery located adjacent to Mill Street, Auburn, PA; however, there is no indication of his burial at this location, nor is there any burial or church records, so his grave may be unmarked. The website findagrave.com does not seem to have a listing for his interment anywhere in Pennsylvania.).
(Note: The "old cemetery" would be the original Auburn Public Cemetery located adjacent to Mill Street, Auburn, PA; however, there is no indication of his burial at this location, nor is there any burial or church records, so his grave may be unmarked. The website findagrave.com does not seem to have a listing for his interment anywhere in Pennsylvania.).
Kraemer, (Captain) - A news excerpt from the Elk County Advocate indicates that a Captain Kraemer died from drowning above Reading, PA. The excerpt reads "Mrs. Kraemer, of Auburn, wife of the canal boat captain who was drowned above Reading, on hearing the news of the death of her husband immediately fainted, remained in a comatose state, and in a few hours was dead. She leaves five children." (The Elk County Advocate, November 29, 1877)
(Note: The website "findagrave.com" has no listing for any Kraemer who died in 1877 as having been interred anywhere within Pennsylvania. Her interment site is currently unknown.)
(Note: The website "findagrave.com" has no listing for any Kraemer who died in 1877 as having been interred anywhere within Pennsylvania. Her interment site is currently unknown.)
Kramer, Franklin - "Schuylkill Canal Accidents...During Wednesday night Capt. Franklin Kramer, of boat Fountain, (which was cleared at Schuylkill Haven last Monday) was drowned at Feeder Dam, above Reading. Capt. Kramer had but one foot, having lost the other some years ago while employed on the railroad. His lameness may have led to this fatal result." - Undated and unidentified newspaper article.
********************************************* "Another Sad Death - Lucy Gunderman, a widow, living at Auburn, upon hearing of the drowning of Franklin Kramer, whose sad case was noted in our columns a few days ago, grieved so terribly as to bring on a fit of epilepsy, from which she died in a few hours. She was the cousin of Franklin Kramer, and was raised by his father, Samuel Kramer, of Auburn. Corner Quail held an inquest, rendering a verdict in accordance with the above facts." - The Weekly Miners' Journal, Pottsville, PA., November 23, 1877. Lucy (Sieigfried) Gunderman was born in 1831. She was the wife of William Gunderman, who predeceased her. She died on November 15, 1877 and was interred within the St. John's Church Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
Kramer, Jacob (Sr.?) - "Jacob Kramer, one of the earliest boatman on the Schuylkill Canal, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Charles (Catherine Kramer) Jacobs, Manayunk, Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Kramer was six feet four inches in height and of powerful build.
He was born in Schuylkill County, near Auburn, April 1, 1813, and when a boy was employed on the Schuylkill Canal and drove the first team on the canal. The boat towed at that time was owned by Captain Etichter, who had it built in Landingville and hauled it overland on heavy trucks to Schuylkill, Haven. The boat was then taken to Port Clinton, loaded with 20 tons of coal and towed by Kramer's team through Reading to Philadelphia. Mr. Kramer also ran the first flat-bottomed boat in the Delaware and Hudson Canal from Rondout, New York, to Honesdale.
He subsequently contracted with the Reading Railroad to haul to different stations along the line the wood used for fuel in the locomotives. He had the contract for a number of years for removing snow from the tracks with a plow drawn by four horses.
During the Molly Maguire troubles Mr. Kramer frequently assisted the authorities in quelling disturbances, and he is said to have prevented a number of persons from being killed. One time while his boat was passing through the canal locks at Shawmont in 1837, he witnessed a team of eight horses and a marble wagon break through the bridge into the river, and swimming to the horses, succeeded in unhitching them from the broken wagon and saving their lives.
Mr. Kramer's grandfather, Jacob Kramer, fought under Washington in the Revolutionary war, and was also known as an Indian fighter.
Of his 11 children, two daughters and three sons, with 25 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren survive." - Miners Journal (Pottsville, Pennsylvania) 13 March 1896.
Jacob Kramer (Sr.?) was the husband of Catharine Leisher/Lesher Kramer. He was a father to George W. Kramer, Harry Adam or Addis Kramer, Jacob Kramer (Jr.?) (b. 1842 - d. 1909) and two presently unidentified daughters. Jacob (Sr.?) died on March 10, 1896. The website findagrave.com has a listing for Jacob Kramer (Sr.?) as having been interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA; however, no physical evidence, nor burial or church records, support that information. Both his wife, Catharine, and his son, George, are interred within this same cemetery.
He was born in Schuylkill County, near Auburn, April 1, 1813, and when a boy was employed on the Schuylkill Canal and drove the first team on the canal. The boat towed at that time was owned by Captain Etichter, who had it built in Landingville and hauled it overland on heavy trucks to Schuylkill, Haven. The boat was then taken to Port Clinton, loaded with 20 tons of coal and towed by Kramer's team through Reading to Philadelphia. Mr. Kramer also ran the first flat-bottomed boat in the Delaware and Hudson Canal from Rondout, New York, to Honesdale.
He subsequently contracted with the Reading Railroad to haul to different stations along the line the wood used for fuel in the locomotives. He had the contract for a number of years for removing snow from the tracks with a plow drawn by four horses.
During the Molly Maguire troubles Mr. Kramer frequently assisted the authorities in quelling disturbances, and he is said to have prevented a number of persons from being killed. One time while his boat was passing through the canal locks at Shawmont in 1837, he witnessed a team of eight horses and a marble wagon break through the bridge into the river, and swimming to the horses, succeeded in unhitching them from the broken wagon and saving their lives.
Mr. Kramer's grandfather, Jacob Kramer, fought under Washington in the Revolutionary war, and was also known as an Indian fighter.
Of his 11 children, two daughters and three sons, with 25 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren survive." - Miners Journal (Pottsville, Pennsylvania) 13 March 1896.
Jacob Kramer (Sr.?) was the husband of Catharine Leisher/Lesher Kramer. He was a father to George W. Kramer, Harry Adam or Addis Kramer, Jacob Kramer (Jr.?) (b. 1842 - d. 1909) and two presently unidentified daughters. Jacob (Sr.?) died on March 10, 1896. The website findagrave.com has a listing for Jacob Kramer (Sr.?) as having been interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA; however, no physical evidence, nor burial or church records, support that information. Both his wife, Catharine, and his son, George, are interred within this same cemetery.
Mengel, Daniel Faust - "DROWNED IN THE SCHUYLKILL - An Auburn Boatman Loses His Life After a Service of Forty Years: Daniel F. Mengel, of Auburn, for forty years a boatman on the Schuylkill Canal, was drowned at Brook's lock, at Less's dam, a short distance north of Reading, shortly before 6 o'clock Tuesday morning. Deceased, in company with his two sons, Edward and Frederick Mengel, had charge of the canal boat, "W. M. Fahl," loaded with coal, running between Port Carbon and Manayunk. When they reached the locks the father was on the boat alone, while his son Edward was at the gates turning the wicket to leave the water out, and allow the boat to go through. In some manner the deceased leaned forward, when he was struck with the "tiller" and knocked overboard. A small boat was procured, and after a delay of fifteen minutes the body was recovered and placed on the canal boat. The coroner of Reading was notified, and in company with a jury proceeded to the locks. After hearing the testimony of Edward C. Mengel, son of deceased, and H. S. Weaver, the jury rendered a verdict of accidental drowning, in accordance with the above facts. The deceased was about 67 years old, and had been boating for over 40 years. He leaves a wife and eleven children - eight sons and three daughters." - Weekly Miners' Journal, Friday, April 27, 1888.
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"Knocked Senseless Into the canal above Reading and drowned - Sad fate of Capt. Daniel F. Mengel of Auburn (April 24th, 1888): Daniel F. Mengel of Auburn, for 40 years a boatman on Schuylkill Canal, was drowned in Brooks Lock at Leitz above Reading, shortly before 6 o'clock this morning. Capt. Mengel, accompanied by his sons Edward C., age 19 and Freddy, age 13, was taking an individual boat, William Fahl of Auburn, loaded with coal from Port Clinton to Manayunk. They left the port on Friday last and reached the lock where the old boatman met his death at 5:40 am. When the lock chamber was level with the river below, the son, Edward, raised the western wicket to swell the boat out of the lock. His father was on the stern and was in the act of taking the arm from the tiller post when the swell swung the tiller around the arm, striking Capt. Mengel in the face above the right eye and knocked him senseless from the boat into the water. Without uttering a cry, the old man disappeared beneath the seething water coming through the lock and then a search for the body began. In a small boat with poles and grappling irons, Edward Henry Hill and Howard W. Weaver, recovered the body a half-hour later, about 15 feet from the lower gate. An attempt was made to resuscitate, but proved futile. Above his right eye was a cut about an inch long penetrating to the bone. He was laid on the dock of his boat and covered with a blanket until the arrival of coroner Denhard who had been summoned by the messenger. The deceased was a powerfully built and fine looking man, 69 years of age and was known and highly esteemed by all boatman and lock tenders along the canal to tide water. He leaves a wife, 8 sons and 3 daughters to mourn his untimely end." (This obituary was obtained from the website findagrave.com and appeared to have been transcribed from a different source with the notation that it probably originated from a "Reading newspaper").
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"Knocked Senseless Into the canal above Reading and drowned - Sad fate of Capt. Daniel F. Mengel of Auburn (April 24th, 1888): Daniel F. Mengel of Auburn, for 40 years a boatman on Schuylkill Canal, was drowned in Brooks Lock at Leitz above Reading, shortly before 6 o'clock this morning. Capt. Mengel, accompanied by his sons Edward C., age 19 and Freddy, age 13, was taking an individual boat, William Fahl of Auburn, loaded with coal from Port Clinton to Manayunk. They left the port on Friday last and reached the lock where the old boatman met his death at 5:40 am. When the lock chamber was level with the river below, the son, Edward, raised the western wicket to swell the boat out of the lock. His father was on the stern and was in the act of taking the arm from the tiller post when the swell swung the tiller around the arm, striking Capt. Mengel in the face above the right eye and knocked him senseless from the boat into the water. Without uttering a cry, the old man disappeared beneath the seething water coming through the lock and then a search for the body began. In a small boat with poles and grappling irons, Edward Henry Hill and Howard W. Weaver, recovered the body a half-hour later, about 15 feet from the lower gate. An attempt was made to resuscitate, but proved futile. Above his right eye was a cut about an inch long penetrating to the bone. He was laid on the dock of his boat and covered with a blanket until the arrival of coroner Denhard who had been summoned by the messenger. The deceased was a powerfully built and fine looking man, 69 years of age and was known and highly esteemed by all boatman and lock tenders along the canal to tide water. He leaves a wife, 8 sons and 3 daughters to mourn his untimely end." (This obituary was obtained from the website findagrave.com and appeared to have been transcribed from a different source with the notation that it probably originated from a "Reading newspaper").
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The website findagrave.com lists the following unsubstantiated information regarding Daniel Faust Mengel: Daniel was the son of Phillip Mengel (1788-1840) and Sophia Faust Mengel. He was a brother of Bernard F. Mengel (1833-1903), Catharine Mengel Daubert (1821-1874), George F. Mengel (1819-1898), John F. Mengel (1824-1916), Mary Mengel Heffner (1815-1906), Reuben Mengel (1836-1840) & William F. Mengel (1828-1887). He was the husband of Mary Sybilla Moyer Mengel (1833-1918). He was the father of Charles Abbott Mengel (1857-1910), Edward Clayton Mengel (1869-1958), Franklin Wescott Mengel (1858-1929), Frederick Calvin Mengel (1874-1952), Howard Arthur Mengel (1876-1932), Irvin Grant Mengel (1866-1915), James Lincoln Mengel (1864-1940), Lester Daniel Mengel (1878-1945), Mary Francis Mengel Dreher (1855-1941) and Sarah Louisa Mengel Ritter (1862-1937).
Daniel died on April 24, 1888 and was interred within the St. John's Church Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
Moyer, Elwood Walter (10/27/1871 - 05/01/1876) - Elwood Walter Moyer was the son of Jackson and Mary Livingood Moyer. His grave marker is engraved with the inscription "Died May 1, 1876 by accidentally drow(n)ing in the (Schuylkill) Canal". On the 1875 DeBeers Atlas map of Auburn, PA, a structure (house) is depicted adjacent to the Schuylkill Canal and the owner is indicated to be a "J. Moyer" so it is probable that the Moyer's lived next to the canal and Elwood fell into the canal due to his close proximity. Elwood was only 4 years old. Elwood Walter is interred within the Auburn Church of God Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA.
Schultz - "Accidentally Drowned: A boy of fourteen years of age, a son of Mr. George Schultz, of Auburn, was drowned in the dam at that place on Friday. The boy was playing in the vicinity of the dam when he fell in and before assistance could be rendered sank. For several hours the dam was dragged without results, and it was not until Saturday afternoon that the body was found in fifteen feet of water very near the place where he sank." - The Weekly Miners' Journal, Pottsville, Pa., September 20, 1878.
(Note: The website findagrave.com has no listings for either a "Schultz" having been interred within Schuylkill County in 1878, nor of a George Schultz having been interred within Schuylkill County that could have been this boy's father.)
(Note: The website findagrave.com has no listings for either a "Schultz" having been interred within Schuylkill County in 1878, nor of a George Schultz having been interred within Schuylkill County that could have been this boy's father.)
Strause/Strauss/Strouse, Samuel (Sr.?) - The website findagrave.com has a listing for a Samuel Strause/ Strauss/Strouse born on April 23, 1803. He married Anna Maria Fisher Strause/Strauss/Strouse and they had possibly seven children, only three of which have been identified on this website: Maria Strause/Strauss/Strouse Stoudt, Samuel Strause/ Strauss/Strouse (Jr.?) and Sarah Strause/Strauss/ Strouse McAllister. The website contains a notation that Samuel (Sr.?) "drowned in the canal" on 04/26/1842 but does not list a location or details as to why he drowned. He was believed to have been interred in the Zions Red Church cemetery, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA but there is no physical evidence to support that claim. His wife, Anna, and at least three of his known children, Maria, Samuel and Sarah, are all positively confirmed as having been interred within the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA.
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Newspaper articles and other printed materials
According to a Reading Eagle newspaper article dated Monday, May 19, 1879, a Joseph Wahl operated a "boat yard" (for constructing river boats) in the Auburn area. However, an article on a Nathan Mengel of Auburn mentions that he was employed at the Joseph Fahl boatyard...which is a much more common surname in the Auburn-area. The article reads in part " "Nathan Mengel was born in West Brunswick Township, June 12, 1835. He was reared to farming, and after attaining manhood farmed for twenty-two years in South Manheim Township. After some employment in the boatyard of Joseph Fahl he was with Benjamin Koch for some time, and then for two and a half years was engaged at bridge building and repair work, from Rockville to Pottsville, for the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company."
There is a "Joseph Fahl" (08/26/1830-02/03/1915) who is interred within the Auburn Church of God Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA and who, interestingly enough, named one of his children "Nathan Mengel Fahl". |
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"A LIME BOAT SUNK - The Union canal boat "Lime Lady", leased by Aaron Leap, loaded with lime, sunk at 2 o'clock yesterday morning above Jackson's locks, this city, by the lime becoming dampened and expanding, thus opening the seams of the boat and letting in the water....The same boat, which is comparatively new, was sunk at Auburn in the same manner some years ago." - Reading Eagle, Monday, August 25, 1879.
"VETERAN BOATMAN DIED. Drove the First Team on the Schuylkill Canal. Jacob Kramer, one of the earliest boatmen on the Schuylkill Canal, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Chas. Jacobs, Manayunk. Mr. Kramer was 6 feet 4 inches in height and of powerful build. He was born in Schuylkill County, near Auburn, April 1, 1813, and when a boy was employed on the Schuylkill Canal and drove the first team on the canal. The boat towed at that time was owned by Capt. Stichter, who had it build in Landingville and hauled it over land on heavy trucks to Schuylkill Haven. The boat was then taken to Port Clinton, loaded with 20 tons of coal and towed by Kramer's team through Reading to Phila. Mr. Kramer also ran the first flat-bottomed boat in the Delaware and Hudson Canal from Rondout, N. Y., to Honesdale. He subsequently contracted with the Reading Railroad to haul to different stations along the line the wood used for fuel in the locomotives. He had the contract for a number of years for removing snow from the tracks with a plow drawn by 4 horses.
During the Molly Maquire troubles Mr. Kramer frequently assisted the authorities in quelling disturbances, and is said to have prevented a number of persons from being killed.
One time while his boat was passing through the canal locks at Shawmont in 1837 he witnessed a team of 8 horses and a marble wagon break through the bridge into the river. He sprang from the boat and into the river, and, swimming to the horses, succeeded in unhitching them from the broken wagon and saving their lives.
Mr. Kramer's grandfather, Jacob Kramer, fought under Washington in the Revolutionary War , and was also known as an Indian fighter.
Of his 11 children, 2 daughters and 3 sons, with 25 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, survive."
The Reading Eagle, March 12, 1896.
Jacob's date of death is listed as March 10, 1896. His place of death is listed as Manayunk, Philadelphia County, PA. findagrave.com has a listing for Jacob as having been interred in the St. John's Church Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA; however, there is no physical evidence, nor any burial or church records, to support this claim. St. John's Church does possess records that reflect Jacob had purchased a cemetery family plot. Within this plot, his wife, Catharine "Kate" Leisher or Lesher Kramer, is interred in addition to one of Jacob's sons, George W. Kramer. Whether Jacob is actually interred within this cemetery is uncertain.
During the Molly Maquire troubles Mr. Kramer frequently assisted the authorities in quelling disturbances, and is said to have prevented a number of persons from being killed.
One time while his boat was passing through the canal locks at Shawmont in 1837 he witnessed a team of 8 horses and a marble wagon break through the bridge into the river. He sprang from the boat and into the river, and, swimming to the horses, succeeded in unhitching them from the broken wagon and saving their lives.
Mr. Kramer's grandfather, Jacob Kramer, fought under Washington in the Revolutionary War , and was also known as an Indian fighter.
Of his 11 children, 2 daughters and 3 sons, with 25 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, survive."
The Reading Eagle, March 12, 1896.
Jacob's date of death is listed as March 10, 1896. His place of death is listed as Manayunk, Philadelphia County, PA. findagrave.com has a listing for Jacob as having been interred in the St. John's Church Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA; however, there is no physical evidence, nor any burial or church records, to support this claim. St. John's Church does possess records that reflect Jacob had purchased a cemetery family plot. Within this plot, his wife, Catharine "Kate" Leisher or Lesher Kramer, is interred in addition to one of Jacob's sons, George W. Kramer. Whether Jacob is actually interred within this cemetery is uncertain.
Schuylkill Navigation System Pictures
NOTE: A special note of gratitude goes to fellow historians Brian Bohr and John Bambrick for escorting the creator of this website to various sites along the Schuylkill Canal and Canal Street to photograph the ruins.
Boats and Mule-Teams
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Canal Street ruins
Charts, Diagrams and Maps
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Documents
Fatalities
Floods
General Information of the Schuylkill Navigation System
Infrastructure
Ruins of the Canal
Tunnel
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