RETIRED MANUFACTURER DIED SATURDAY AT AGE OF 82
Fred G. Kniley, retired manufacturer, died at his home, 646 North Second Street, Lykens, Saturday, January 17 [1948]. He was 82 years old. On the past New Year’s Day he and his wife celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.
At the time of his death, Mr. Kniley was president of the Miners Bank of Lykens, and president of the Williams Valley Lumber and Construction Company with mills in Tower City, Elizabethville and Tremont.
Born on March 30, 1865, Mr. Kniley was the youngest of 12 children born to Lewis Kniley and Mary [Martin] Kniley. He received his education in the public schools of Wiconisco and later served as a school director at that place. He began his career as a clerk in several stores and for a number of years was manager of the Samuel Miller estate Store in Wiconisco. In 1898, he formed a partnership with late W. H. Clay Keen to purchase the Lykens Hosiery Mill from Harry Romberger. This hosiery mill was operated as Keen and Kniley until ten years ago. after his retirement from the manufacturing business he accepted the presidency of the bank and lumber company. He was re-elected to these positions at the annual stockholders meetings of these companies held within the past ten days.
Besides being active in many charitable and civic affairs, he was a member of many Masonic organizations. He was a member of Ashlar Lodge, No. 570, Free and Accepted Masons, Lykens, where up until the time of his death he was the oldest living past master. Mr. Kniley was a trustee of the lodge and a member of the Ashlar Society. He was a member of the Tremont Royal Arch Masona, Chapter 221, where again he was the oldest living high priest, having served in 1904. He was also a member of Pilgrim Commandry, No. 11, Harrisburg. In addition he was a member of Zembo Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Harrisburg, having been initiated into that body on their second or third meeting night in the days when the Shriners met in Chestnut Street Hall. He was also a life member of the Sons of Veterans.
Mr. Kniley is survived by his wife, Susan [Walker] Kniley, formerly of Shippensburg; one son, Dr. Eugene Kniley, Philadelphia; four daughters, Mrs. Robert E. Swab, Lykens; Mrs. H. J. Worthington, at home; Mrs. Arthur L. Helt, Lykens; and Mrs. Joseph R. Stine, Harrisburg. One son, Paul Kniley, preceded him in death nineteen years ago. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Lt. Robert K. Swab, Puson, Korea; Mary Louise Stine and Joseph K. Stine, Harrisburg; Fred Worthington, Lykens; Mrs. Glen Bailey, Hagerstown, Maryland; one grandson, Paul Helt, lost his life in Sicily during World War II. Three great-grandchildren, Joyce Worthington, Joan Worthington, and Paul Bailey also survive.
Funeral services were held Tuesday from the home on North Second Street with the Rev. W. W. Spiegelhalder, pastor of the Grace Methodist Church, officiating. Services were in charge of the Masonic Order. Active pall bearers included members of the Masonic Order and honorary pallbearers were directors of the Miners Bank of Lykens, and the directors of Williams Valley Lumber and Construction Company. Burial took place in the Wiconisco cemetery.
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Obituary and portrait from the Lykens Standard, January 23 1948, via Newspapers.com.
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