This post is part of a series of articles on the explosion that occurred at Bear Valley, No. 1 Shaft, Summit Branch Colliery, near Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1908, in which six men were killed.
A brief obituary of each of the six victims appeared in the Lykens Standard, July 24, 1908.
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John J. Whittle
Son of Charles Whittle and Elizabeth Whittle, was born at Mt. Pleasant, Schuylkill County, December 6, 1954. He was one of a large family which located Williamstown 41 years ago, and was married to Miss Sarah Warlow several years later. The union was blessed with quite a number of children, several of whom preceded their father in death. The surviving children are Earl Whittle, of Canton, Ohio; Ray Whittle, in the U. S. Army in Cuba; Joseph Whittle, Ethel Whittle, Abbie Whittle, Helen Whittle, Bessie Whittle, Blanche Whittle, and Leslie Whittle at home. Besides his widow, he is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. R. J. Thompson (Alice Thompson), of Steelton; Mrs. John Challenger (Ruth Challenger), Mrs. Morris Haller (Eliza Haller), Mrs. Warren Kline (Amelia Kline), all of Harrisburg; Mrs. D. F. Kinsey (Hannah Kinsey), and Joseph Whittle, Williamstown.
Deceased was of a quiet disposition and very much devoted to his family, sisters and brothers. Seven months ago while the Rep. Arpe was conducting a series of Evangelistic meetings in the Williamstown Methodist Episcopal Church, he professed conversion and remained faithful to the end. He was also a member of U. S. Grant Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle (K. G. E.), which organization attended his funeral Sunday afternoon. Services were held at his late home by Rev. Witwer of the M. E. Church, and interment was made in the Evangelical Cemetery. A large number of relatives and friends were in attendance and the floral tributes were beautiful and numerous. The pallbearers were William J. James, D. L. Thomas, John Woffendon, James Woffendon, Claude Walkinshaw, and Horace Pennel, members of the Knights of the Golden Eagle (K. G. E.). R. W. Day was the funeral director.
Mr. and Mrs. Warren Kline were unable to attend the funeral as they had left the Monday previous on a trip to Nebraska. The latter wrote a letter to deceased postmarked Lincoln, Nebraska, July 15, but a telegram sent there failed to locate her.
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Arthur Hawk
Born at Pinehurst near Williamstown May 24, 1882. He was a son of the late Jonathan Hawk and wife and resided in Williams Township at what is locally known as Dayton. He was married to Mary Miller, daughter of Reuben Miller and wife of Dayton, on December 13, 1903, who with two children, Reuben Hawk and Gladys Hawk, are left to mourn the loss of a loving husband and kind father. He is also survived by his mother and the following sisters: Mrs. J. Q. Adams (Mabel Adams); Florence Hawk; Cora Hawk; Edna Hawk; and Hazel Hawk. Deceased was a consistent member of the Evangelical Church and at the time of his death a class leader.
The funeral took place on Saturday. The services were conducted by Rev. L. O. Wiest of Williamstown, assisted by Rev. Boyer of Myerstown. Interment was made in the Wiconisco Cemetery, and was in charge of the Order of Independent American, of which deceased was a member.
The following relatives and friends from a distance were present: Philip Hawk and Maude Hawk, Elizabethville; Cora Hawk, Carlisle; Mr. and Mrs. Acaly, Llewellyn; Jason Miller and wife, Blackwood; Reuben Miller, wife, and three sons, and George Miller, Philadelphia; Albert Landis, Mt. Carmel; Mrs. Charles Barr, New Cumberland.
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Charles Rickert
Son of Cornelius Rickert and wife, and was born in Williamstown 28 years ago. Married to Susan Row, daughter of Walter Row and wife, June 21, 1900. Three children resulted from the union, one of whom preceded him in death. The remaining two, Dorothy Rickert and Margery Ellen Rickert, with their mother, survive. He is also survived by his mother and three brothers: William Rickert and Allen Rickert of Harrisburg, and Earl Rickert of Williamstown. He was a member of the Williamstown Evangelical Church, and one of its trustees; also a member of the P. O. S. of A., and of the Commandery, which organization attended his funeral on Saturday. Re. L. O. Wiest preached the sermon in the Evangelical Church, and interment was made in the Evangelical Cemetery, undertaker Ralph having charge.
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Michael Stakem
Michael Stakem was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, May 17, 1871, and was the son of Patrick Stakem and Elizabeth Stakem. He was married 16 years ago to Miss Elizabeth Butler, and three years later came to American and located at Williamstown, where he has since resided, with the exception of a short time spent at Tower City. He was a member of Division 17, Ancient Order of Hibernians of Tower City, and of the Catholic T. A. B. Society. He had never indulged in any intoxicating drinks and was possessed of a remarkably strong constitution. A few years ago he was injured in the mines and sent to the Pottsville Hospital for treatment. It was thought by the physicians of that institution that he could not recover, but his abstemious habits had fortified his system against the great shock and to the surprise of all he recovered his former robust health. He is survived by a wife and the following children: Patrick Stakem; Elizabeth Stakem; Jennie Stakem; Michael Stakem; and Annie Stakem. Two children preceded him in death. He is also survived by his other, one brother and one sister in Ireland, and three brothers in this country, John Stakem and Patrick Stakem, of Tower City, and Thomas Stakem, of Williamstown.
The funeral took place Saturday morning, mass being celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, and interment was made at Tower City. The pallbearers were selected from the organizations of which deceased was a member.
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John Reilly
John Reilly was born at Branchdale, Schuylkill County, August 27, 1872. He was the son of Michael Reilly and wife and went to Williamstown 22 years ago. He was one of the most prominent men in mining circles in this section and at time of his death was a member of the Examining Board for Mine and Assistant Mine Foremen of this district. He was also prominently identified with a number of societies of Williamstown, among which are the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the temperance society connected therewith, of which he was the secretary for the past eight years. He was also a member, and at the time of his death, secretary of Williamstown Local No, 550, Unites Mine Workers of America (U. M. W. of A.). He was unmarried and was a great help to his widowed mother, his father having died 19 years ago.
His funeral took place on Monday morning at 9 o’clock, solemn Requiem Mass being celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, and interment was made in the Williamstown Catholic Cemetery. The funeral was largely attended and the flowers were the most beautiful ever displayed on a similar occasion in Williamstown. There were 12 honorary and 6 active pallbearers, the latter being, J. J. Buggy, John Higgins, James O’Brien, Thomas Ryan, John Crozier and Stephen Morgan.
Deceased is survived by his mother and the following brothers and sisters: James Reilly, of Williamstown; William Reilly of Minersville; Thomas Reilly, Fred Reilly and Minnie Reilly of Philadelphia; Mrs. George Noel (Maggie Noel), and Nellie Reilly of Mt. Carmel; and Lily Reilly at home.
The following from a distance attended the funeral: Samuel Simister, Mrs. John McGuigan, Michael McGuigan and wife, Bethuel McGuigan and Lizzie Haycock, Stephen Noel, Minersville; Patrick Dormer and family, Pottsville; Frank McHigh, Mt. Carmel; Thomas Brennan, Scranton; William Donnen, James Donnen, Mrs. William Brennan, Branchdale; Edward Harris of Executive Board, U. M. W. of A., Lykens; Charles Krallman of Glen Carbon, Illinois, National Organizer, U. M. W. of A.
H. W. Day was the funeral director.
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James Bowman
James Bowman, son of Hiram Bowman and wife, was born at Artz, Schuylkill County, January 4, 1877, and went to Williamstown 12 or 13 years ago. About four years ago he married Ida Hoffman, who with two children, Hiram and Ruth, are left to mourn his loss. Also his parents and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. E. W. James (Nora James), Minersville; Mrs. Charles Hess (Sally Hess); Thomas Bowman; Ralph Bowman; Harry Bowman; and Polly Bowman.
Deceased was employed in and about the mines since 21 years of age, with the exception of a few years when he was employed by T. B. Davis as an assistant to his trainer of horses. He was a member of the Order of Independent Americans, which organization attended his funeral.
The funeral took place Saturday afternoon, services being held at his late home by Rev. George M. Scheidy. Interment was made in the Methodist Episcopal Cemetery. The following from out-of-town attended the funeral: Mrs. Bowman, Robert Bowman and wife, Calvin Koppenhaver and wife, Philip Koppenhaver and wife, Ellis Bowman and wife, Henry Bowman and daughter Edna Bowman, Mrs. Dietrich, Daniel Coleman and wife, Tyson Coleman, Ed Koppenhaver, Wellington Gilbert and wife, Mrs. Benton Wiest, Mrs. Schwalm, all of Artz; Arthur Schoffstall and wife, Harrisburg; Samuel Bowman and wife, Walter Bowman and wife, Tower City; Charles Britton and wife, Gordon; and William Britton, Mrs. Bert Martz, Mrs. M. Dietrich, Lykens….
The funeral director was Thomas Hess.
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