Peter HARTRANFT, of Klinesville, Upper Hanover township died on Friday evening. He was the oldest resident in this section of the county. Mr. HARTRANFT was born on November 12th, 1810, in Marlborough township, between Green Lane and Hoppenville. When he was four and one half years of age his father died. Mr. HARTRANFT was then adopted by Peter HILLEGASS, who reared him to mature age. Mr. HILLEGASS then moved to Bedford, Pa., and then he was obliged to secure another home, he then made his home with Andrew GRABER. Mr. HARTRANFT was a tailor by trade and started that work when 16 years of age with Henry MOLL, he followed that occupation until about 56 years ago, after which he commenced farming at the homestead on which he died. Deceased was married to Miss Mary KLINE, daughter of Michael KLINE, of Marlborough, on February 7, 1836. Their union was blessed with two children one daughter died in infancy and Lydia, wife of the late Algernon HOOVER. Mr. HARTRANFT was a second cousin to ex-Governor HARTRANFT. Deceased's age is 90 years, 6 months and 5 days, and he is survived by his 84 year old widow and daughter Lydia. Mr. HARTRANFT was the oldest living Odd Fellow of Pennsburg Lodge and he also was a member of the East Greenville Lodge Knights of Golden Eagle, of which he became a member within the first year of its history. Mr. HARTRANFT is one of a family of ten children and several of these are still living at an advanced age. A sister Magdalina NASE, of Uniontown, is 84 years old and a brother John, of Lansdale, is in his 93d year and both are hearty. The funeral was held on Thursday at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, near this borough, and was largely attended. Interment on the church cemetery. Rev. O.F. WAAGE officiated.
Joseph STOUDT, a well known resident of Fruitville, Upper Hanover township, died at the residence of his only son Henry on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock of apoplexy. Deceased was about 80 years of age. The funeral was held on Friday at the Bethesda Meeting House, near Clayton. Interment was made on the church cemetery.
Lovinia WINGERT, relict of Henry WINGERT, of Bally, died from the results of an apoplectic stroke on Saturday evening. Her husband died about 36 years ago. Deceased is about 76 years of age. The following children survive: Lizzie, of Norristown, Hiram, of Pennsburg, and Andora, who resided at home. The following brothers and sisters survive: Simon, and Nathan ADAM, of Fruitville, Elizabeth, wife of Henry MOLL, of Pennsburg, and Salina, wife of Levi HOOVER, of Reading. The funeral took place on Thursday at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally. Interment on the church cemetery.
">Mary Rebecca KEHL, daughter of John and Cassia KEHL, of near Red Hill, Upper Hanover township, died quite unexpectedly on Wednesday evening. She has been in ill health for some years but was not confined to bed until the day before her death. She was about 36 years of age. The funeral will be held on Monday at 10 o'clock at the house. Services and interment at the New Goshenhoppen Church, near East Greenville.
Oliver K. KLINE and Miss Annie GRABER, both of this borough, will be united in the holy bonds of wedlock this evening by the Rev. J.L. ROUSH. The bride is a daughter of Frank GRABER and the groom a son of Cyrenus KLINE, of near Red Hill.
Clerk of Courts COOKE, of Norristown, this week granted a marriage license to Howard H. TRUMBORE, of this borough, and M. Maggie HENDRICKS, of near Red Hill.
William MUEHLHAUSER, of Green Lane, met with an experience this week which almost resulted in his death. It is customary for brewers to varnish the interior of the large casks at different times which are used for the storing of beer. J.O. HENDRICKS, proprietor of the Green Lane brewery, instructed his foreman Mr. MEYERS to attend to this duty, but as Mr. MEYERS is an exceptionally large man it was impossible for him to pass through the manhole into the cask. Sylvester S. BAUER, another employee at the brewery, tried to do the work but he could not stand the fumes from the varnish. William MUEHLHAUSER an experienced painter was then engaged to varnish the casks. He entered one of them and started to work. For a time the foreman heard him busily at work in the tank; as time passed by and the foreman not hearing the usual noise from the cask started in investigate. Upon looking into the man hole he was surprised to see Mr. MUEHLHAUSER in the cask in an unconscious condition. The foreman called for help and the unfortunate man was removed from the cask just in time to save his life. After he had been out in the fresh air for a short time he began to revive and in the course of an hour or two had full recovered. Had he been allowed to remain in the cask much longer the deadly fumes would no doubt have suffocated him.
Rev. H.W. WARMKESSEL, pastor of the Hill Church, was presented with a new suit of clothes by the members of his congregation on the occasion of his birthday on Thursday. The reverend gentlemen who lives in Reading was handed the suit by a tailor in that city, requesting him to hand it to Jeremiah MUTHARD, of New Berlinville. He attended to this duty and on Sunday the same package containing the suit was given to Rev. WARMKESSEL with the compliments of the congregation.
Miss Florence, the thirteen year old daughter of farmer C.U. JACOBY, of Plover, met with a slight accident on Sunday while out on a pleasure trip with her pony. The animal took fright and made a sudden turn causing the wagon to upset and throwing Miss JACOBY out. The young lady escaped injuries, but the buggy was badly damaged. She succeeded in keeping the pony from running away.
Little Carrie KEMMERER, of Green Lane, while romping around at home, made a misstep, tumbled down the stairs, got her tongue between her teeth and struck her lower jaw against a step, nearly severing the tongue. The member was bruised and swollen to such an extent that she could not eat for several days. Fortunately the swelling was reduced and she is rapidly recovering from the injury.
Charles FREAS, the slater of this borough, on Saturday morning almost fell from a building. He was at work on the roof of Tobias FREED's house in this borough when he slipped and fell. He slid down to the end of the roof, but luckily caught himself at the spouting. This probably saved him from serious injury. As it was, Mr. FREAS escaped with a badly cut hand. One of his fingers was so badly lacerated as to expose the bone.
Daniel N. SCHULTZ, of near Treichlersville, has in his possession an old cupboard which was made in 1750. This old piece of furniture is in a good state of preservation and the date was inscribed on it when it was made and is still plainly visible. The cupboard was owned by his great-grandfather. Mr. Schultz also has in his possession two hand-stitched purses. One is dated 1768 and the other 1774. These purses are beautiful pieces of needlework.
Thieves entered the summer house of E.N. SCHULTZ at Chapel on Thursday night. They entered the house by removing a window pane. All the closets were searched and nothing was stolen but a pair of rubbers. The thieves were too early for Mr. SCHULTZ, as they had not yet moved into the summer house. About two years ago the same place was entered and relieved of a lot of household supplies.
John J. WALTER, the general merchant in the lower end of this borough, this week purchased the store property of William G. CHRISTMAN, which he had leased for the past three years. The building has been used as a general store for the past thirty-four years. Mr. CHRISTMAN, the former owner, started a grocery and general merchandise business in the year 1867 and conducted it for a period of four years. He then sold the business to David S. KERN, the present postmaster in this borough, who conducted it successfully for seven years. The business was then transferred to Frank BUCHMAN, who after being the owner for a period of two years sold out to M.H. HAUCK. Mr. HAUCK conducted the business for a period of seventeen years, when it passed into the hands of Alexander STOUCH, who after one short year of experience transferred the stock and fixtures to J.J. WALTER, the present owner. Mr. WALTER through his exceptional business ability has built up during the past three years a large trade. This wonderful increase in his business demanded more room for his constantly growing stock. To more advantageously arrange the store, he decided to purchase the building. This he done during the week at private figures. The dwelling as well as the store will be remodelled in the near future. Mr. Walter is an experienced business man, having served many years in the large general store of William H. KEHL at East Greenville. After Mr. WALTER has remodelled his store, and from what we can learn of the plans, it will be one of the most conveniently arranged business houses in this vicinity.
The Clayton Butter and Cheese Company held an election for new officers on Monday. The following directors were elected: Philip K. SCHULTZ, John L. BAUER, David F. CLEMMER, James Z. FUNK and Josephus GERHARD. The creamery paid their patrons 30 cents per pound for butter fat for April milk.
S.K. BUCHER, huckster of Perkiomenville lost a valuable horse by death on Saturday, while on his return trip from Philadelphia. When he came to Chestnut Hill he noticed that the horse was not feeling well and placed him in the stable. The animal died shortly after. This is the second horse that died for Mr. BUCHER during the last year.
Conductor Cyrus L. TURNER is the oldest employee, serving in that capacity on the Perkiomen Railroad. The company is now having their conductors wear service stripes on the left sleeve. Mr. Turner now wears five gold stripes which represent 25 years' service.
Rev. George B. WALBERT, of East Greenville, while in the act of descending a flight of stairs, slipped and fell spraining his left foot. The sprain although not serious will greatly inconvenience the reverend gentleman.
Rev. H.A. WELKER, of Bluffton, Indiana, a former resident of Red Hill, will preach in Perkiomen Seminary chapel tomorrow evening. Rev. WELKER is an able and pleasing pulpit orator and enjoys a host of friends in this vicinity.
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