SUICIDES
Updated 10/18/2023
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Auman, George -
"HORRIBLE SUICIDE - SECTION FOREMAN KILLS HIMSELF ON DAUGHTER'S GRAVE BY MEANS OF STICK OF DYNAMITE" by Associated Press. Auburn, Pa., Dec. 25. (1905) George Auman, a section foreman for the P. & R. at Auburn, aged about 50 years, committed suicide at 6:50 this afternoon by placing a stick of dynamite under himself and blowing a hole through his body. He had gone to the Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery* and lain upon his daughter's grave to do the deed. He leaves a wife and four children. His daughter's death some time ago is said to have unbalanced his mind." (Associated Press release - Dec. 25, 1905) *NOTE: The newspaper article states that George committed suicide in the "Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery"... which would be St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn. However, both his daughter Mamie and George himself are interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn. ************************************** "Blew Himself to Pieces on Grave - Pottsville, Pa., Dec. 27 - Despondent over the recent death of his daughter, George Auman, 50 years old, threw himself upon her grave and then exploded a stick of dynamite on his chest. The dynamite blew him into pieces. He was a section foreman for the Reading railway." (Tyron Herald, PA. - Thursday, December 28, 1905) ************************************** George Auman was born 05/05/1852. He was the son of Joseph Auman and Sarah Koch Auman. He was a brother of Catherine Auman Wildermuth, Henry Auman, John Auman, Louisa Auman Bolton, Mary Auman Gilson, Phoebie (poss. spelled Phoebe) Auman Mays, and Sarah Auman Miller. George married Mary A. Kinsey Auman in 1874. They had the following children: Harry (Harold?) Bernard Auman, Joseph Kinsey Auman, Lettie (poss. a diminutive nickname for Charlotte, Colette, Elizabeth, Letitia, Scarlett or Violet) Auman, Mamie (Margaret?) Auman, Sallie (Sara or Sarah?) Auman Beggs and William Harrison Auman. George was cited as a "most faithful employee" who had obtained decent employment as a "section foreman" for the Philadelphia & Reading (P & R) Railroad company by 1905 when tragedy struck. According to a newspaper article (posted on right), his "favorite" daughter, Mamie, had been stricken ill with diphtheria and, after suffering from the illness for eight days, died from the disease. George was reportedly severely distraught by the death of Mamie and sunk into a deep depression. Finally, on the evening of Christmas Day, George proceeded to the grave site of Mamie located in the Auburn Church of God cemetery, laid down on her grave, and took a stick of dynamite to which he had access from his job, placing the explosive on his chest and then detonating it. According to the news article, "The report of the explosion was heard all over the neighborhood". When George failed to return to his home by his usual hour, the family became concerned and soon learned that George had taken his own life in a dramatic fashion. George died on 12/25/1905. What was left of his remains was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, where his beloved daughter lies at rest, and where he committed his final desperate act to be reunited with Mamie. |
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Brensinger, Walter -
Walter Brensinger was born in Stonemont, Schuylkill County, PA, on 07/03/1888. (NOTE: Stonemont is a hamlet located near Moyer's and Summit Station in Schuylkill County). He was the son of Daniel Jefferson Brensinger and Catharine Mease Brensinger Metz. (NOTE: Catharine divorced Daniel J. Brensinger and remarried William Metz). Walter was a brother of Rebecca Adless Brensinger Kramer and a step-brother of Raymond Lewis Metz. Walter married Maud M. Kramer Brensinger (misspelled as "Maude" on her death certificate and grave marker, but her signature of "Maud" can be found on Walter's death certificate). Walter and Maud had the following children: Allen D. Brensinger, Christine I. Brensinger Schrader, Merle "Tiny" Brensinger, Merlin John Brensinger and Neal W. Brensinger. Merle "Tiny" Brensinger and Merlin John Brensinger were twins born on 09/27/1925. Unfortunately, Merlin only lived a total of 25 days before dying on 10/22/1925; however, Merle fortunately lived well into his mid-eighties. Walter was employed as a laborer by the Delaware Seamless Tube Company. Walter died in Auburn on 07/10/1932. His death certificate indicates he committed "suicide by hanging". He is interred in the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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Christ, Ida -
"BETRAYED, THEN DEATH - IDA CHRIST KILLS HER CHILD AND THEN HERSELF. A FRACKVILLE TRAGEDY. The Unfortunate Woman Tries to Hide Her Shame, But Her Sin Finds Her Out. - Ida Christ, of Frackville, driven to remorse after her sin had bound her out, committed suicide by strangling herself at the home of her uncle, David Christ, early yesterday morning. Ida was about 22 years of age. She was a light-hearted girl and a favorite among her companions. She was an orphan, and formerly lived at Auburn with her brother, William, an undertaker. Her brother Charles lives at Frackville. On Tuesday afternoon the girl fave birth to a male child in an outhouse. She tried to hide her shame by throwing the babe into a cesspool and covering it over with dirt. A neighbor suspected that she had committed the horrible deed, and the next morning Chief Burgess Douden was notified. That official made an investigation and found the dead body of the babe. Deputy Coronor Enterline was notified at once, and a jury composed of the following was empaneled: Abraham Taylor, William Sanner, Edward Dauden, Joseph Seaman and Joseph Duff. The girl at first denied her guilt, but later confessed. She was at once placed under arrest, but owing to her delicate condition she was allowed to remain at her uncle's home until such a time as she could be given a hearing before a magistrate. Early yesterday morning the family of Mr. Christ were aroused from their slumbers by the noise of a heavy object falling upon the dining room floor. An investigation of the cause led to the discovery of the girl dead upon the floor. Around her neck, bound very tightly, was a narrow strip of muslin that cut into the flesh. The unfortunate girl had stealthily left her room and deliberately ended her life by strangling herself. It is supposed she wet the muslin before tightening it around her neck and then threw herself upon a lounge. It was while writhing in the throes of death that her body fell to the floor, thus alarming the family. The remains were taken to Auburn over the Pennsylvania road, where they will be interred. Harry Faust, of Reading, whom the girl charged as author of her ruin, is now being looked for by the officers of the law. A warrant has been issued for his arrest by Chief Burgess Douden. An inquest was held over the body of the child, but a verdict will not be returned until Faust is heard from. Thomas Christ, the father of the girl, was swallowed up in a mine breach about nine years ago while working as a repairsman near Lost Creek. His body was never recovered. Her uncle, David Christ, is employed as a watchman at the Lawrence colliery, and Ida kept house for him." - News article from an undated and unidentified source.
NOTE: The website findagrave.com has no listing for an Ida Christ, within 17 - 27 years of age, having been interred anywhere within Berks or Schuylkill Counties, PA.
"BETRAYED, THEN DEATH - IDA CHRIST KILLS HER CHILD AND THEN HERSELF. A FRACKVILLE TRAGEDY. The Unfortunate Woman Tries to Hide Her Shame, But Her Sin Finds Her Out. - Ida Christ, of Frackville, driven to remorse after her sin had bound her out, committed suicide by strangling herself at the home of her uncle, David Christ, early yesterday morning. Ida was about 22 years of age. She was a light-hearted girl and a favorite among her companions. She was an orphan, and formerly lived at Auburn with her brother, William, an undertaker. Her brother Charles lives at Frackville. On Tuesday afternoon the girl fave birth to a male child in an outhouse. She tried to hide her shame by throwing the babe into a cesspool and covering it over with dirt. A neighbor suspected that she had committed the horrible deed, and the next morning Chief Burgess Douden was notified. That official made an investigation and found the dead body of the babe. Deputy Coronor Enterline was notified at once, and a jury composed of the following was empaneled: Abraham Taylor, William Sanner, Edward Dauden, Joseph Seaman and Joseph Duff. The girl at first denied her guilt, but later confessed. She was at once placed under arrest, but owing to her delicate condition she was allowed to remain at her uncle's home until such a time as she could be given a hearing before a magistrate. Early yesterday morning the family of Mr. Christ were aroused from their slumbers by the noise of a heavy object falling upon the dining room floor. An investigation of the cause led to the discovery of the girl dead upon the floor. Around her neck, bound very tightly, was a narrow strip of muslin that cut into the flesh. The unfortunate girl had stealthily left her room and deliberately ended her life by strangling herself. It is supposed she wet the muslin before tightening it around her neck and then threw herself upon a lounge. It was while writhing in the throes of death that her body fell to the floor, thus alarming the family. The remains were taken to Auburn over the Pennsylvania road, where they will be interred. Harry Faust, of Reading, whom the girl charged as author of her ruin, is now being looked for by the officers of the law. A warrant has been issued for his arrest by Chief Burgess Douden. An inquest was held over the body of the child, but a verdict will not be returned until Faust is heard from. Thomas Christ, the father of the girl, was swallowed up in a mine breach about nine years ago while working as a repairsman near Lost Creek. His body was never recovered. Her uncle, David Christ, is employed as a watchman at the Lawrence colliery, and Ida kept house for him." - News article from an undated and unidentified source.
NOTE: The website findagrave.com has no listing for an Ida Christ, within 17 - 27 years of age, having been interred anywhere within Berks or Schuylkill Counties, PA.
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Hain, George -
(Unknown - 10/18/1903)
"THREW HIMSELF BEFORE ENGINE: George Hain, of Milton, Laid His Head on the Rail and Smiled at the Engineer as He Died. - The quiet little town of Auburn was the scene of a desperate suicide yesterday afternoon when George Hain, of Milton, threw himself in front of P. & R. passenger train No. 8 and was ground to pieces. The train, which was in charge of Conductor Charles Huff, Engineer Richard Sharp and Fireman Albert E. Miller, left the Pottsville station at 1:50 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and was just approaching the site of the new station, which is being erected at Auburn, when Hain who was evidently demented, stepped from behind a large coal car which was standing on a siding. He knelt down and placed his neck upon the west rail and in a moment more was ushered into eternity. He was an exceptionally good looking man of middle age, with black hair and mustache neatly trimmed. He was about 5 feet 6 inches in height and weighed about 145 pounds. He wore good clothes and appeared to be both happy and prosperous. He was seen hanging about the Auburn station during the morning, and several times asked the station agent where he could find a drug store. He left presumably to get some medicine and was not seen again until after committing the terrible deed. While loitering about the town he also asked several boys what time there would be a train along, but they could not tell him. During a conversation he held with a tramp near the station, he took a chew of tobacco from a plug which he carried and while doing so remarked that that was the last anyone would ever see him take. He appeared to be a trifle nervous and acted suspiciously, notwithstanding the fact that he said nothing about self destruction, although several remarks made by him were significant in view of consequent happenings. Coroner A. L. Gillars was notified of the accident and at once went to Auburn to investigate the affair. He found an abundance of evidence that the man had wilfully (willfully) suicided, and after summoning a jury, he held an inquest at the P. & R. depot last evening upon the arrival of the 9:50 train which was in charge of the same crew, above-mentioned. Engineer Sharp in testifying before the jury stated his train was approaching Auburn at a moderate rate of speed, when Hain stepped from behind the car and knelt over the rail. He applied the air brakes but before the train could be stopped the wheels of the engine had passed over the suicide's body. His head and both arms were severed from the trunk and the chest was horribly crushed. He also said that the man had given him a terrible look, as he lay down in front of the train and from his actions had been undoubtedly insane. There were no marks upon his clothing or effects from which his identity could be established, but from the initials G. H. which were tatooed (tattooed) upon his right arm, and from a railroad ticket which was found in his pocket, the P. & R. officials at Reading finally established his identity. The ticket was from Allentown to Lewisburg, and was accompanied by an excess check which had been given him by the conductor of a train upon which he had sent a dog to his home at Milton. Upon the back of the latter he had scribbled "good bye all - forgive every one - I am crazy". He also had $9 in paper money in his pocket, and a brief note addressed to "mother" and relating to 25 cents worth of stamps and a check which was to have been sent somewhere. The body was prepared for burial by a local undertaker and sent to the almshouse morgue, where it awaits the wishes of his relatives. It will be buried today* if not claimed by them." - Unidentified news article source dated October 19, 1903.
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"Threw Himself in Front of Train. - Geo. Hain of Milton, aged 40 years, a lunatic, threw himself in front of a P. & R. express train at Auburn on Sunday afternoon and was instantly killed. Papers found on his body show the suicide to have been premeditated. The train was N0. 8 and Engineer Richard Sharp and Conductor Charley Hoff were in charge. Coroner Gillars investigated and his jury returned a verdict in accordance with the facts, exonerating the train crew. It has been Engineer Sharp's harrowing experience to have seen a total of twenty men swept into eternity by his locomotive. Three of these were deliberate suicides. In each case Engineer Sharp did everything possible to avert an accident." - An excerpt of a news article from an unidentified source tentatively dated October 1903.
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"OBITUARY. The remains of George Hains, of Milton, who suicided at Auburn last Sunday, were laid to rest at Milton, the funeral being a very private character." - An undated and unidentified newspaper obituary.
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NOTE: The website findagrave.com has no listing for any Georg(e) Hain(es)(s) having been interred anywhere in Pennsylvania in 1903.
(Unknown - 10/18/1903)
"THREW HIMSELF BEFORE ENGINE: George Hain, of Milton, Laid His Head on the Rail and Smiled at the Engineer as He Died. - The quiet little town of Auburn was the scene of a desperate suicide yesterday afternoon when George Hain, of Milton, threw himself in front of P. & R. passenger train No. 8 and was ground to pieces. The train, which was in charge of Conductor Charles Huff, Engineer Richard Sharp and Fireman Albert E. Miller, left the Pottsville station at 1:50 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and was just approaching the site of the new station, which is being erected at Auburn, when Hain who was evidently demented, stepped from behind a large coal car which was standing on a siding. He knelt down and placed his neck upon the west rail and in a moment more was ushered into eternity. He was an exceptionally good looking man of middle age, with black hair and mustache neatly trimmed. He was about 5 feet 6 inches in height and weighed about 145 pounds. He wore good clothes and appeared to be both happy and prosperous. He was seen hanging about the Auburn station during the morning, and several times asked the station agent where he could find a drug store. He left presumably to get some medicine and was not seen again until after committing the terrible deed. While loitering about the town he also asked several boys what time there would be a train along, but they could not tell him. During a conversation he held with a tramp near the station, he took a chew of tobacco from a plug which he carried and while doing so remarked that that was the last anyone would ever see him take. He appeared to be a trifle nervous and acted suspiciously, notwithstanding the fact that he said nothing about self destruction, although several remarks made by him were significant in view of consequent happenings. Coroner A. L. Gillars was notified of the accident and at once went to Auburn to investigate the affair. He found an abundance of evidence that the man had wilfully (willfully) suicided, and after summoning a jury, he held an inquest at the P. & R. depot last evening upon the arrival of the 9:50 train which was in charge of the same crew, above-mentioned. Engineer Sharp in testifying before the jury stated his train was approaching Auburn at a moderate rate of speed, when Hain stepped from behind the car and knelt over the rail. He applied the air brakes but before the train could be stopped the wheels of the engine had passed over the suicide's body. His head and both arms were severed from the trunk and the chest was horribly crushed. He also said that the man had given him a terrible look, as he lay down in front of the train and from his actions had been undoubtedly insane. There were no marks upon his clothing or effects from which his identity could be established, but from the initials G. H. which were tatooed (tattooed) upon his right arm, and from a railroad ticket which was found in his pocket, the P. & R. officials at Reading finally established his identity. The ticket was from Allentown to Lewisburg, and was accompanied by an excess check which had been given him by the conductor of a train upon which he had sent a dog to his home at Milton. Upon the back of the latter he had scribbled "good bye all - forgive every one - I am crazy". He also had $9 in paper money in his pocket, and a brief note addressed to "mother" and relating to 25 cents worth of stamps and a check which was to have been sent somewhere. The body was prepared for burial by a local undertaker and sent to the almshouse morgue, where it awaits the wishes of his relatives. It will be buried today* if not claimed by them." - Unidentified news article source dated October 19, 1903.
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"Threw Himself in Front of Train. - Geo. Hain of Milton, aged 40 years, a lunatic, threw himself in front of a P. & R. express train at Auburn on Sunday afternoon and was instantly killed. Papers found on his body show the suicide to have been premeditated. The train was N0. 8 and Engineer Richard Sharp and Conductor Charley Hoff were in charge. Coroner Gillars investigated and his jury returned a verdict in accordance with the facts, exonerating the train crew. It has been Engineer Sharp's harrowing experience to have seen a total of twenty men swept into eternity by his locomotive. Three of these were deliberate suicides. In each case Engineer Sharp did everything possible to avert an accident." - An excerpt of a news article from an unidentified source tentatively dated October 1903.
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"OBITUARY. The remains of George Hains, of Milton, who suicided at Auburn last Sunday, were laid to rest at Milton, the funeral being a very private character." - An undated and unidentified newspaper obituary.
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NOTE: The website findagrave.com has no listing for any Georg(e) Hain(es)(s) having been interred anywhere in Pennsylvania in 1903.
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Haines, Reuben -
"AT EIGHTY YEARS HE TAKES HIS OWN LIFE: Tired of life after four score years of business activity, and of usefulness in the community in which he lived a respected citizen, Reuben Haines, of Auburn, committed suicide by hanging in his stable, at 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The cause of the rash act is attributed to despondancy (despondency) , the result of ill health, with which he suffered for some time past. He was about as usual during the day and nothing in his conduct betrayed that he had in mind the act of self destruction. BOYS DISCOVER HIM: He was last seen between one and two o'clock. At about 2:20 o'clock several boys playing around the place peeped into the barn and were horrified to see the body of Mr. Haines dangling from the rafters. They immediately gave the alarm and word was at once sent for aid, but too late, the vital spark had flown. A RESPECTED CITIZEN: Mr. Haines was well and favorably known throughout that place and by careful attention to business had accumulated sufficient to live comfortably. He suffered with a sore on his right leg, which gave him considerable pain and trouble, and he brooded over it constantly, which no doubt led to his self destruction. He lived with his daughter, who is married to William Mumma, and had no troubles save the almost constant pain of his leg. He was born in Berks county and was in his 81st year. At one time he was the sole owner of what is now the Auburn Shale brick plant. Haines is survived by four children. They are: Levi, of Schuylkill Haven; George, of Pinegrove; Chas., of Schuylkill Haven, and Mrs. William Mumma, of Auburn, with whom he resided. He was a bricklayer and shoemaker by occupation. Hannah, his wife, and a son, Francis, preceded him to the spirit world." - Unidentified news article source dated May 26, 1906. ************************************** Editors note: While Reuben Haines's death certificate lists his death as suicide by hanging, based on this news article, I would question that determination. Admittedly, Reuben suffered from "considerable pain" from a leg wound; yet leg pain is something for which he could self-medicate; however, the author of this news article stated that the pain "no doubt led to his self-destruction" and was a sufficient cause alone to hang himself. My concern is that Reuben had served in the military. He had worked hard as a brick-maker, bricklayer and shoemaker all of his life; therefore he was no stranger to physical discomfort. He had survived over eighty hard years without any attempts to take his own life that we know of. Sure, his wife and one child had preceded him in death...but the wife had passed over a year earlier at the respectable age of 76 years old; and his son, Francis, had died almost twelve years earlier. Not to mention, Reuben still had four surviving children, all of whom still resided nearby in Schuylkill County and one of whom he was actually living with. According to the news article, Reuben was financially secure and dependent... having "accumulated sufficient (assets) to live comfortably", so money or financial hardship wasn't a concern. Additionally, other than the "almost constant pain in his leg", the news article stated that Reuben "had no troubles"...nothing to upset him to the point of suicide. Finally, the article states "He was about as usual during the day and nothing in his conduct betrayed that he had in mind the act of self destruction." Reuben had left no suicide note, nor displayed any indication of suicidal tendencies that morning. A possibility exists that a younger, stronger individual could probably overpower an eighty-one year old man and hang him from the rafters of a barn for reasons unknown...possibly if that person stood to inherit money or property from Reuben upon his death. Unless other factors were discovered that were not mentioned, which seems unlikely considering the depth and detail of the reporting, I believe a ruling of "self destruction" and "suicide" was presumptuous and somewhat premature without a full investigation. ************************************** Reuben Haines was born in Pennsylvania on 09/15/1826. He was the son of Jacob Haines and Maria Magdalena Lindemuth (or Lindermuth) Haines. He was a brother of Benjamin Haines. Reuben married Hannah George Haines. They had the following children: Charles Haines, Francis Haines, Levi Haines and Lillie (Lillian?) Haines Mumma. After the births of Charles, Francis and Levi, but before the birth of Lillie, Reuben served as a Private in Company G of the 27th Emergency Militia from 06/22/1863 until 07/31/1863. As stated previously, his civilian occupations were that of a bricklayer, a brick-maker and a shoemaker. Reuben committed suicide* in a stable by hanging on 05/25/1906. His wife Hannah had passed at the age of 76 years old during the prior year. He is interred in the St. John's Church cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. ************************************** As a point of interest, another Reuben Haines, also from Pennsylvania, also a Civil War Veteran, also who had been wounded during the war, (but was a Prisoner of War as well, which Reuben Haines of Auburn was not), also committed suicide...by inhaling "illuminating gas". (NOTE: Illuminating gas was used to light buildings and cities and is produced by distilling bituminous coal). He preceded Auburn's Reuben in death by approximately three years, dying on 07/11/1899 in Philadelphia. |
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Hoffmeister, Mary Alice Shappell -
"Many of our people attended the funeral of Mrs. David Hoffmeister, at Auburn, on Sunday afternoon, who committed suicide by hanging herself in the cellar on Wednesday last." - Pinegrove Herald, Pinegrove, PA Friday, June 6, 1902 page 3. Mary Alice Shappell Hoffmeister was born in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, on 05/29/1860. She was the presumed daughter of Elizabeth Eppler Shappell and Levi Shappell. (NOTE: Although not listed on the website findagrave.com as Mary's parents, Elizabeth and Levi are the only "Shappells" interred within the Auburn-area and who also would be of an appropriate age at the time of Mary's birth). Mary was the first wife of David F. Hoffmeister (who presumably remarried after Mary's death). They had five children according to the website findagrave.com, one son and four daughters, but none of them were listed by name on either Mary's or David's listing on that website, nor could they be easily located on that site. Mary died in Auburn on 05/28/1902 by committing suicide by hanging. She was interred within the Auburn Church of God cemetery, Cemetery Road, Auburn, PA. |
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Long, Floyd L. -
"Floyd was born circa 1921 in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. He was the son of Adam Henry Long and Jennie Alma Custard Long. He was a brother of Clayton Henry Long, Elizabeth M. Long Minnich and Luther James Long (who served in World War Two but was Killed In Action). Floyd was listed on the World War Two monument dedicated to Auburn-area affiliated veterans, but it is uncertain as to what military role he filled during that conflict. Floyd married Dorothy Irene Brocious Long. They had a son, Luther James Long (not to be confused with Floyd's brother who was Killed In Action during World War Two) who lived only five months, twenty-three days; and a daughter, Sharon Long Dixon. Floyd died on 03/26/1972 at his resi-dence in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA, by a self-inflicted shotgun wound to his head in a ruling of suicide. He was interred within the Salem Evangelical Church cemetery, Orwigsburg, Schuyl-kill County, PA. |
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