Conradus Greber

Conradus Greber (1826-?)	Johannes Greber (1791-1844)	Joannis Nicholai Greber (c1764-1844)	Johann Nickel Greber (c1737-1798)	+
		Joannis Nicholai Greber (c1764-1844)	Maria Johanna Werth (c1737-1774)	+
		Susanna Ruffing (c1768-1837)	Johannes Ruffing (1735-1793)	+
		Susanna Ruffing (c1768-1837)	Maria Magdalena Dumont (1737-1796)	+
	Margaretha Barbara Normann (<1800-1857)	Christianus Francisei Norman (c1763-1825)
		Christianus Francisei Norman (c1763-1825)
		Elizabethae Sommer (c1773-1818)
		Elizabethae Sommer (c1773-1818)

Events

Notes

Note 1

!Notes: Although the births of the children were recorded in Pottsville, the family actually lived in Tuscarora, a small village near Pottsville. Please note that most of Germany at this time was referred to as Prussia, and much of the neighboring territory was often reffered to as Germany, as well.

!Notes: [A copy of a translation of an account of the life of Conrad Graeber, written in German script by Conrad Graeber and possibly partly by one or more of his sons, as it appeared in the book, "A History of the Greber / Graeber / Graber Family 1680 - 1980", by Kathleen Neumann Graber, 1981. The original German manuscript and the translation are both in the possession of Mildred Graeber Kearney, Shamokin, Pennsylvania.]

He was born in Spelsen [Spiesen], Ottweiler, Prussia, Germany, on the sixteenth day of January, 1826. It being a law in Prussia that every parent must send his children to school until they attain the age of fourteen, his parents were obliged to comply with this law and therefore he went to school until the fourteenth year had expired. After that he followed the mercantile business for two years, he acting as clerk in his father's store during that time. Not liking this business, he resolved to learn a trade; for this purpose he entered a glass factory with the intention of learning the trade of inspecting, numbering, and assorting glass and glassware. By patient studying and hard labor, he received his diploma when he arrived at the age of eighteen.

It was during his eighteenth year that he received permission from his parents to leave home for the first time. It was chiefly owing to the large number of people who intended to visit the old city of Frirr [Trier] where the coat which our Savior wore was on exhibition, that he received this permission. They departed from Spelsen [Spiesen] in procession, singing and praying during their journey to Frirr [Trier.] The distance between the two places being about sixty miles. In the evening of the first day of May, they arrived at their destination, but being fatigued they retired for that night and the next morning they entered the cathedral where in front of the alter the coat was exposed to view. Being perfectly satisfied with the result of their visit, they returned to Spelsen [Spiesen] where a grand reception awaited them.

Having a desire to seek his fortune in North America, he obtained his parents' permission and on the first day of March, 1845, he departed from home, going by way of Metz to Paris, and from Paris by way of Ronen [Rouen] to Havre. Spending ten days in Havre visiting many places of interest, he took passage on the ship Baltimore, destined for New York. After a stormy journey which almost cost the lives of all on board, the ship arrived at New York on May 5th. Remaining a few days in that city, he went to Philadelphia, his ticket entitling his passage as far as that city. Remaining in this city for one week, he departed for Reading with the intention of going to Pottsville, but being deficient of means he was obliged to remain in Reading in order to earn money enough to secure himself passage to Pottsville. In Reading, he was employed by a butcher for $10. per month. On account of the small wages, he did not remain long in Readning, but as soon as he accomplished his object in saving enough money, he departed for Pottsville, arriving in that place on June 1, 1845. Times being very poor on account of the financial depressions, he could obtain no other employment than work at the mines.

With this object in view, to receive seventy cents per day, he applied to Johnson Wesely for work and was so successful in removing the coal dirt from under the screen; and out of this he was obliged to pay ten dollars per month for board, so that after a few other little expenditures, he had very little if anything left when the month was up. He did not remain long at this. After working three months, he entered the mines as a laborer and soon became acquanted with mining and therefor could work as a miner and earn much more money. After becoming thoroughly acquanted with mining coal, he and another person undertook a contract with Samuel Heilinger in the spring of 1846 to sink a shaft 145 feet deep. Completing this, they commenced to drive a gangway west, but they did not proceed far before they struck into the working of an old mine that was filled with water. Immediately, the water gushed forth in such a large quantity that the shaft was filled in ten or twelve minutes. Seeing the intimate danger in which he and his partner were exposed, they fled the outlet of the mines and gave the signal for hoisting, but the person outside could not hoist so fast as the water went up, so they took hold of the rope and as the water rose, they swam with it, and in this manner they reached a place of safety and were saved from one of the most horrible deaths.

Not a bit discouraged at this accident, he again started to work in the mines and with such success that in a very short time he sent his mother two hundred [$200.] dollars. This being the first money he saved since his arrival into America. It was not long before he expressed a desire to visit his old homestead. On the 15th of September 1846, he left Patterson, Schuykill County, with the intention of visiting Germany. He arrived in New York on the 18th day of September and on the 20th day of September he sailed from New York to Portsmouth, England, landing at the latter place on October 10th. From here he went by way of London [stopping here a short time] to Amsterdam in Holland; from here he went by way of Rotterdam to Distelforf, thence to Kollohn, remaining here only long enough to visit the Dome. He then went by way of Koblentz to Stolzenfelt. IT was in the latter place where the Prince of Prussia has his castle. From Stolzenfelt, he went by steamer up the Rine River by way of London to Rotterdam, thence to Stolzenfeldt [probably repeat], from there to Kreitzenach. Remaining in the latter place two days, he visited St.. Vantel, the place where our holy St.. Vantelius made a well with one stroke of his staff in order that he might water his sheep. He then visited his native town, Spelsen [Spiesen.] Upon his arrival, he was received by his mother, brothers and sisters and a number of friends, his father being dead, arriving home November 15th. Remaining home until May 1, 1847, he again started for the United States, his mother, brother, and sisters accompanying him. His oldest brother and oldest sister remaining in Germany. Going by way of Paris to Havre, they sailed from Havre to New York on May 15th, arriving at New York June 27th. Remaining in New York a short time, they went by way of Pottsville to Paterson in Schuylkill County, arriving there July 1, 1847. Three days afterward [July 4] he got married to Catherine Mause, aged nineteen, who was born in Buhlen Borge, Oldenborg, in Germany. Her father's name was Catherine Hartman. They both died in Germany in the year 1836. Catherine Mause had three sisters and one brother. His name was Charles Mause who lived in Anerbach near Bewirbricken, Germany. The oldest of the three sisters got married to a M. Muclhaller who had a book store in Zweibrucken. The next oldest married a Jno. Marx and the youngest married a Peter Reidenbach. The two last mentioned sisters came with their husbands to America. Jno. Marx died at Tuscarora [Schuylkill County] and his wife in Philadelphia. Peter Reitenbach died at Scranton, leaving his widow with a large number of children. After seven years, nine months and twenty-seven days of married life, his [Conrad's] wife died of confinement. During this time, there was begotten to them six children. Their names are as follows: .....................................................................

During these eight years he first worked in the mines; after this he entered the confectionary business. By saving enough money during the first two years, he built himself a house, in which he kept boarders and an eating saloon. After this he commenced huckstering [1853.] He would Tuscarora with his team and go up to Catawissa, Jerseytown, Fruthestown, Washington, Milville, and back to Pottsville. During this journey he would buy butter, eggs, and dried fruit, bring them to the coal regions and dispose of them at a good profit. In 1852, he was elected Constable of Schuylkill Township, Schuylkill County, and served two years. In 1854, he opened a grocery store in Tuscarora, Schuylkill County, and with it a hotel. In 1854, he was elected school director. He was nine years on the school board, 5 years president of the board and 2 years treasurer. The next year [May 1, 1855] his wife died from confinement. Her body being placed into a metallic casket, it was interred into Lot No. 52 in the German Catholic Grave Yard in Pottsville. He was a widower one year, one month and twelve days when he took unto himself a second wife, being married June 12th, 1856, in Pottsville to Miss Sarah Mayer by Rev. Father Wagmeyer. Miss Mayer was born in Pottsville on the 17th day of September 1833. Her father's name was Joseph Mayer and her mother's maiden name was Didinger. Both were born in Stundwailler in Alsace, France. They came to America in the spring of 1829 and went to Pottsville, where they both died and were buried in the Pottsville Catholic graveyard. Joseph received the contract to build the first German Catholic Church in Pottsville.

In the spring of 1856, he [Conrad Graeber] entered the coal business in partnership with Jacob Wagner. They carried on the business for two years, when the partnership dissolved. In 1860, he was appointed postmaster of the Tuscadora Post Office. This was under Buchanan's administration. In 1862, he was elected to the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania and was appointed to three important committees with banks, mines, and minerls, and vice and immorality.

While at Harrisburg during this year, he intended to leave that place at four o'clock in the morning on the Penns. R. R. cars. He was late for the train and it was in motion when he attmpted to jump on, and in so doing his foot slipped and he fell between this train and another that was going west. The space between the two trains was tow feet. He laid between the two trains until they had passed, when he arose from his uncomfortable position minus a corner of his coat.

While at Harrisburg in the House and Senate, the Democrats had one vote majority on joint ballot. At the Unites States Senator Election, Camaron made some heavy offers to get a Democrat to vote for him, but was unsuccessful. Charles R. Bucklow was elected. In October, 1863, he was reelected to the house by a large majority and was appointed on three important committees. In 1867 he was nominated for Sheriff of Schuylkill County between three other Democratic candidates. Two of these worked against him and the treasurer. They were both defeated, Mr. Graeber being defeated by only 37 votes. He then gave up political life.

In 1868, he went to Locust Gap in Northumberland County and entered the coalbusiness in partnership with Jno. Kemple of Pottsville. They also opened a store, admitting Mr. McCarty as a partner. The store's firm name was Graeber, Kemple, and McCarty. On Dec. 7, 1869, he moved his family from Tuscarora to Shamokin in the National Dime Bank Building where he lived three years. In Locust Gap, sometime in the year 1870, he had a very narrow escape from death. The two breakers, which the firm owned, were about one mile apart and he would frequently jump on a locomotive while it was in motion, but his coat caught on a hook and he fell. He was dragged about one hundred yards before he was released [from] his perilous position. The locomotive was running at the rate of twenty five miles an hour. When released, almost all his clothes and one boot were torn from his body. A quilt was thrown over him and in this manner [he] was brought to the office, thence in cars to Shamokin. It was several weeks before he recovered.

In 1871, he was elected a director of Shamokin Bank Company. In 1872, he built a house next to the National Bank Building and moved in it on Dec. 7. In 1869, Daniel Shepp of Tamaqua purchased one third of the Locust Gap mines. From this time the firm was Graeber, Kemple, and Co. until September 1876 when Jno Snepp bought Jno. Kemple's share. The firm was then Graeber and Snepp.

In April 1872, he and Mr. Mathias Ludes entered into partnership in the drygoods and grocery business in Shamokin. In the fall of 1875, he bought out Mr. Ludes' interest in the store. He then changed the firm name to C. Graeber and Son, having taken Mr. J. S. Graeber as a partner. The business continued until September 15th, 1877, when he bought J. S. Graeber's interest; he then continued in his own name. In January of 1871, he was elected a director of the Shamokin Banking Co. In 1873 he was elected president of the bank. In 1874 he was elected a director in the Shamokin Water Company and on the first Monday in February, 1878, he was elected treasurer of the company.

January 1, he was interested in the following businesses: 1. The coal mining business, in the firm of Graeber and Shepp. 2. The store business in the firm of C. Graeber. 3. The store business, firm name C. Graeber and McCarty.

In 1883, he sold his interest in the coal mines at Locust Gap to the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, and then organized the First National Bank of Shamokin. He served as president of this Bank until his death on December 21, 1888.

Conradus Greber

Personal and Family Information

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Notes

Note 1