USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Catasauqua > A history of Catasauqua in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania > Part 15
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GEORGE C. D. GOLDSMITH. George C. D. Goldsmith was employed as clerk by Mr. J. J. Seyfried in 1900 and at the end of six years was admitted by his employer into the business, thus forming a partnership. However, Mr. Goldsmith
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was desirous of starting in business for himself. So in 1912 he suited action to his thoughts and opened a general store at 508 Race Street on November 1, 1912. His store offers to the Third Ward residents everything in groceries, dry-goods and notions.
E. J. ZIESER. E. J. Zieser engaged in the grocery business in 1908 at the corner of Howertown Road and Locust Street. During the spring of 1914 the store room was greatly enlarged. Dry goods and groceries are the lines of goods Mr. Zieser handles.
HENRY HARRIS. Henry Harris, together with his son David, started a store in 1892 on Howertown Road. The son continned with his father until seven years later, when, forced by sickness, he left for the west. Mr. Harris and his wife have conducted the store since that time. Groceries, with Kolb's bread as a specialty, are sold in this place of business.
GEORGE SMITHI. Orange Fuller erected a fine frame store and dwelling on the corner of First Avenue and Bridge Street, West Catasauqua, Pa., and let it out to Samuel Hoeh, who, in 1884, began the mercantile trade here. Two years later George Smith bought the stock and in due time the property, where he still conducts a general store. Mr. Smith remodeled the place a score of years ago. Dry goods, groceries and general merchandise constitute his stock.
HARRY ONUSHAK. Before William Steinhilber moved to Third and Almond Streets, he opened the grocery store at 1053 North Third Street. On May 15, 1900, Harry Onushak came to Catasauqua from Mahanoy City, Pa., and purchased the Steinhilber store. During 1907 he added to the height of the building until three stories were completed. He also attached a meat market 65 feet in length. He sells grocereis, meats, dry goods, hardware, tinware, shoes, oil cloth. linoleums, etc.
ANTHONY O'DONNELL. Anthony O'Donnell opened a small grocery store at 1246 Third Street about 1902. Business increased to such an extent that it necessitated his doubling the capacity of the store in 1913. He carries all manner of groceries, green goods, and fruits.
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MARTIN BENKO. It is with surprising rapidity that the foreigner has taken hold of our American ways and customs even to the extent of building up-to-date and modern business places. Such has been the case with Martin Benko, who first established a small store at 1213 Third Street ; but as business increased and store room was needed, he moved to 1209 Third Street. Here Mr. Benko, together with his son, have a modern store, to say the least, carrying all kinds of groceries and dry goods.
MRS. WANDA KOZLOWSKI. The grocery store and meat market on Third Street above Arch was established by S. M. Kozłowski in 1900. In March, 1909. Mr. Kozłowski retired. Mrs. Wanda Kozlowski undertook the business in December of the same year and eonduets a profitable trade. Groceries, smoked and fresh meats comprise her stoek.
PHILIP F. KURTZ. The street-vender whose trumpet ealls arouse the busy housewives of a community to thoughts of meals for the loved ones to whom they minister, gradually grows into the lives of the people and is quite as much an element in the comfort and happiness of the public as his daily rounds are profitable to his purse. Fresh fish, prime oysters, ripe fruit, and truck with the morning dew still sparkling in the leaves. is the staple "menu" of the huckster wagon of Philip F. Kurtz. "Fritz" started in the business in the spring of 1872, and his tenor voice is still strong and clear.
D. M. DOTTERER. D. M. Dotterer was busily engaged in manufacturing cigars in 1889, but owing to ill health was forced to give up the business in 1912. Then he turned his attention to the green grocery business and today Mr. Dotterer ean be heard from his team on the streets of our town announcing potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, oranges, etc. He also runs a small eandy shop at his place of residence.
WILLIAM T. HOLTZLEICER. Thirty years ago William T. Holtzleicer began a huckster business. Since that time he has faithfully and happily served the people of Catasauqua with all kinds of vegetables. During a part of the time he conducted a store on Third Street, spending the morning on the wagon and the afternoon in the store. Of all food-stuff merchants the huekster is most
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heard. Unlike many others of his trade, Mr. Holtzleicer's voice is music on the morning air as he calls ont the kinds of vegetables on his wagon.
PETER GEIGER. One of the old land marks on Front Street is the property owned by Peter J. Eberhard. In the store room adjoining the residence occupied by Mr. Eberhard and family, James Holly established a tailor shop early in the sixties. After the "Holly" faded, the trade and proprietorship of this store changed repeatedly. Now it was devoted to ice cream, then to notions ; now to confectionery and bric-a-brac, then to green groceries. The present in- eumbent, Peter Geiger, occupied it October 7, 1912, with green groceries, candy and notions. Mr. Geiger is determined to make a business place of No. 203 Front Street ; and he is succeeding.
WILLIAM S. WILLIAMS. The store at 623 Front Street has been occu- pied since May 30, 1912, by the retail business of William S. Williams. His stock is mainly green groceries, carrying all varieties in season and the most called for kinds out of season. He also has a line of regular groceries and eanned goods. On the floor above he has an ice cream parlor. The gradual growth of Mr. Williams' business has necessitated an addition to his first floor room.
MILKMEN. Since this volume is dedicated to the posterity of Catasauqua as well as to the men of the past, it is not only fitting but most profoundly im- portant that we announce the milkmen who do business in our town. Most of the eows whose milk we imbibe are groomed on the "Dry-lands" which naturally guarantees that Catasauqua receives the yellowest and richest milk known in any town along the Lehigh.
Our Milkmen are: Alfred J. Sterner who began to distribute in November, 1887. Aaron Hess began before Mr. Sterner and was succeeded by his son Albert, so that the Hess firm is the oldest milk distributor still in business. Clinton U. Miller began in about 1894. James Kearney began about sixteen years ago; Wilson Saylor, fifteen years ago; David F. Mill, ten years; Smith and Son, ten years ; Peter Roth, ten years; David Shoemaker, eight years; Palmer Koch, six three years.
Most of the dates, or years, given are simply approximations.
years ; Harvey Saylor, five years ; Charles Balliet, four years; Reuben Lazarus,
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KOCH AND YOUNGER. The flour and feed firm known as Koch and Younger was organized in 1897 and opened the store on Second Street above Wood at the same time. They carry a complete stoek of flour, feed, grain, and poultry supplies. Two men and one team are constantly employed to supply the large trade of this firm.
THE FIVE AND TEN CENT STORE. A. J. Etheredge and Company leased a commodions room in the Jr. O. U. A. M. Building and fitted it up for the five and ten cent trade. It would be futile to attempt to describe the stock of a Five and Ten Cent Store. Even the peroration of the hand-bill of a public sale that speaks of "Articles too numerous to mention" fails to do justice to the description of a Five and Ten Cent Store Stock. One thing is true, and that is: The stock is here.
ICE CREAM. Charles Andreas, who for many years had charge of the large blowing engines at the furnaces, established the first confectionery and ice cream trade in town. He located his store on Front Street above Bridge.
Ambrose E. Seyfried began to manufacture ice cream for the wholesale and retail trade at 613-615 Front Street in April, 1883. After the death of her husband, March 21, 1894, Mrs. Seyfried continued the business in his name. During 1891 she enlarged her place of business by adding twenty-five feet more to her building. From 1892 to 1902 she also carried a large line of toys. Her wholesale trade grew until her average output is estimated at 20,000 gallons per annum. Her side lines are candy, cigars, and oysters.
Stewart and Young began the manufacture of ice cream for the wholesale trade during the summer of 1903. They located on Third Street near Arch and erected a factory 13x16 feet in dimensions. The increased demand for their product led them to rebuild their factory in 1909, and now they are quartered in a room 38x40 feet, equipped with the most modern machinery. Their side line is confectionery and oysters.
A. H. KIBLER. During 1886 Samuel Hock built a general store at 468- 470 Race Street. James J. Seyfried bought the place from Mr. Hock in 1891. After Mr. Seyfried moved to his new store, Mr. Hock conducted business for
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one year, when in 1889 John Brophy occupied the place. July 3, 1909, Amandus HI. Kibler rented the establishment from Seyfried and Goldsmith and converted it into an up-to-date Ice Cream Parlor in connection with which he carries a
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stock of soft drinks, candy, tobacco, oysters, groceries and stationery. Being an exceptionally fine mechanic, especially along the line of small machinery, Mr. Kibler also conducts a jewelry and watch and clock repairing department. He bought the property from Seyfried and Goldsmith, November 15, 1911.
CLINTON FEHR. During the seventies William Sacks established a large cigar and tobacco trade at No. 144 Front Street and continued in prosperity until his death, April 7, 1912. Alvin Snyder bought the property which had been enlarged and beautified, and rented it to the present incumbent, Clinton Fehr. Mr. Fehr converted the store and the tobacco rooms into ice cream parlors. His stock consists of confectionery, cigars and tobacco, soft drinks and ice cream.
MRS. HEFFELFINGER. The small cozy candy and cigar store near the corner of Front and Race Streets was started in 1909 by Jeremiah Schoneberger. In 1911 Mr. Schoneberger died and then his widow kept the store until her death in 1913, when her daughter Mrs. Heffelfinger took hold of the store. Pa- trons of the trolley line are accommodated here by being able to purchase return
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tickets to the Queen City. Candies, cigars, and tobacco are sold at this little store around the corner.
MORRIS H. MOYER. In September, 1911, Robert E. Seheckler opened a restaurant and ice cream parlors on Front Street below Bridge. He furnished meals at all hours, besides catering to the public through the sale of oysters, elams, crabs, etc., in bulk. The Sheckler meals had a savory reputation through- out the town. In the spring of 1914 Morris H. Moyer acquired the stand and enlarged the parlors so as to provide accommodations for from eighty to one hundred guests at one time. Choice meals are served. Ice cream, candy, tobacco and cigars, and a full line of sea foods are offered. A fine soda fountain has also been installed.
MRS. MARY EDGAR. In 1902 Henry Zieser and William Edgar opened a lunch room at the corner of Front and Walnut Streets. They moved to 605 Front Street and two years later Mr. Edgar became sole owner. After his death in 1908, his widow Mrs. Mary Edgar continued the business. The patrons are served quick lunches upon the long counter.
THE EDGAR BROTHERS. During 1911 the Edgar Brothers erected a 24 by 70 foot, two story, brick building on Front Street, below Pine. The base- ment is leased to Roxberry, the barber. The second floor is occupied by the Lyceum Club and the Dental rooms of Dr. Chas. Weinberg. The main floor is devoted, by the Edgar Brothers, to a first-class restaurant. A fine soda foun- tain has been installed, and other equipment set so as to make the place attractive and comfortable. The firm serves first-class meals, ice cream, cigars, candies, sea-foods, and all kinds of soft drinks.
MRS. WINFIELD S. DONKEL. The Confectionery store at 301 Peach Street was opened by Mrs. Winfield S. Donkel during the spring of 1896. In 1913 the store was enlarged and beautified. Mrs. Donkel's stock consists of candies, cigars and tobacco, and stationery.
FRANK A. YOUNG. An interesting place of business is the novelty, candy, eigar and soft drink store at 517 Front Street. The genial proprietor of the
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place, Frank A. Young, purchased the stand from Edward Schlaugh in 1910. It serves the public a great convenience that Mr. Young is magnanimous enough to sell trolley tickets to Allentown. There is no commission in this business. The recipient of fares would rejoice if tickets could scarcely be secured so that men would pay the coveted twenty cents per round trip instead of the benevolent rate of only fifteen.
OWEN J. SMITHI. Owen J. Smith established a candy, tobacco, and cigar store on Pine Street in 1909, but moved to his present location, 1102 Second Street, in 1911. Here, Mr. Smith enjoys as large a trade as his facilities allow. Ile does carpenter work in his spare time as a means of adding to his income.
OSCAR WEAVER. Oscar Weaver opened a small store in the front of his dwelling at 419 Race Street in 1909. Here he has continued to do business on a small scale selling groceries, candy, and cigars.
FRANK SNYDER. It wasdue to illness, not beingstrong enough physically to do manual labor, that caused Frank Snyder to open a small store on Race Street in 1903. At first he sold candy and cigars, but later he added groceries.
NICHOLAS RETZLER. Nicholas Retzler conducts a cigar factory at 236 Second Street since March 28, 1909. He sells choice brands of smokes through- out both Lehigh and Northampton Counties. He carries a full line of smokers' supplies, candies, ice cream, and soft drinks.
JOHN G. SACKS. John G. Sacks opened a cigar factory on Church Street above Front in 1890. In 1897 he purchased the Quinn property No. 701-705 Front Street and moved his factory into this building. This is the house of the Florimel. Mr. Sacks employs several hands, who are kept busy throughout the year.
WILLIAM A. SACKS. William A. Sacks opened a cigar store at 144 Front Street, and engaged in making cigars, in 1911. Two years later he moved to his present location, 223 Front Street, where he is busily occupied making the "Immense" and other cigars.
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JOHN J. LAUBACH. One of the old tobacco stores in the Borough is the one at 603 Front Street. Prior to 1890 Fred Hunter was the owner of the store but in the above year he sold to the present proprietor, John J. Laubach. Up to 1911 he manufactured cigars. Mr. Laubach has everything in the tobacco line.
(. D. W. BOWER. Frederick Leiekel began to slaughter animals and sell meats in 1850 and continued in business until 1857, when George Bower sue- ceeded him. Mr. Bower was sneceeded by his son (. D. W. Bower in 1878. The latter developed the business to large proportions. He inereased the slaughter house at Canal and Mulberry Streets, ran meat wagons and conducted a meat market on Bridge as well as on Front Street. In 1893 an overheated smoke house caused a fire which consumed the slaughter house. Mr. Bower re-built and enlarged the place. He built a refrigerator large enough to store the carcasses of twenty cattle, thirty hogs, fifteen calves and fifteen sheep. besides all the by-products of this slaughter. During 1903 he installed a ten-ton Rem- ington ice machine for cold storage. The searcity of live stock and the great advantage that naturally accrues to the large packing houses induced Mr. Bower to discontinue the slaughter house and the Bridge Street market, concentrating all his business at his Front Street establishment.
PHILIP F. WALKER. Early in the sixties John Eckert built a slaughter house on Howertown Avenue and School Street. He disposed of his products chiefly by means of delivery teams. During the eighties Philip F. Walker learnt the trade in his shop and served as salesman until 1891, when he became Mr. Eckert's successor. Mr. Walker slaughtered an average of eight cattle, twenty- five hogs, eight calves and eight lambs per week. During 1893 he opened the meat market at number 228 Second Street, where he still enjoys an extensive trade. The old slaughter house has been abandoned long since. The stock consists of home dressed meats sold by Arbogast and Bastian at Allentown, Pa. The market contains a large refrigerator cooled by a three-ton ice machine, and is equipped with entter, slicer, mixer, and scales of the most improved type. Thomas Walker serves his father in the business since the opening of the cen- tury. Deliveries are made by means of a team and auto-truck.
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A. A. HAUSER. Wilson S. Hauser began to slaughter on the premises of Andrew A. Ilanser, in the Third Ward, in 1890. He ran two meat wagons on a route covering Catasauqua, East Allentown and Rittersville. In 1896 he re- tired from the business. In 1901 Alvin A. Hauser took the old stand, remodeled the slaughter house, and on the 16th of August of the same year made his first delivery trip through Catasauqua and Northampton, Pa. In 1911 he bought the property from Andrew A. Hauser, razed the old building, and erected an up-to-date and absolutely sanitary market.
ACME BEEF COMPANY. The Acme Beef Company at 313 Walnut Street furnishes the tables of the neighborhood with meat of tenderness and quality. The largest stockholder and manager, Clayton Ziegler, built the market in 1911. The building is a red structure. The words, "Beef, Veal, Lamb, Pork, and Poultry," underneath the firm's name stands out prominently in the mind of a person after walking up Walnut Street.
The Company, with a full line of meats and common groceries, by up-to-date business methods, has given the residents of this section prompt and efficient service.
WILLIAM F. KUEHNER. The first bakery in town was established late in the fifties by a Mr. Hiskey on the property beside the Eagle Hotel on Front Street. The property was then owned by a Mr. Laubach. Mr. Hiskey delivered his products in baskets.
In 1861 a Mr. Albright started a bakery at 205 Front Street, the Frederick Eberhard Building, now occupied by baker Klingler. His baker was Charles King who now resides at Coplay, Pa. O. M. Fuller and Ferdinand Eberhard succeeded Mr. Albright. It is said that this firm had a man named John Tombler on their delivery team. John had a constant run on cakes, so that the stock was never sufficient to reach around. He would return and say. "Hent' sin' sie awer gfloga." Upon investigation it developed that the cause of his great run on cakes was that he sold fifteen for a dozen. John got his passport.
August G. Eagle succeeded Fuller and Eberhard. In 1874 James Dilcher occupied the place; and in 1882 Mr. Dilcher moved to 217-219 Front Street, where he built a new oven. The capacity of this oven is 400 loaves at one time.
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Mr. Dilcher disposed of abont 4700 loaves a week. In 1893 his son George H. entered into the business with his father, and ran one of the delivery teams. After his father's death, June 2, 1897, George H. Dileher purchased the prop- erty from his father's estate September 1 of the same year. Mr. Dileher kept up the reputation of the firm for excellent bread and super-fine eakes.
William F. Knehner acquired the property from George H. Dileher October 10, 1907. Mr. Kuehner employs four bakers. He runs three delivery teams over routes covering Catasauqua, West Catasauqua, Hokendauqua, Coplay and Fuller- ton. His average output per week is 5700 loaves, and about 2700 dozen cakes. Mr. Knehner's head baker is Morris Moyer, a gentleman who has fired those ovens for over nineteen years. The Kuehner baked stuffs need no special recommenda- tion, their taste for more speaks for itself.
Il. O. HAUSER. On June 22, 1914, it will be just twenty-five years since HI. O. Hauser started in the baker business by buying out Wm. Storm, who was located at 762 Front Street. Here he was buily engaged in changing flour into bread, cakes and other cookies for a period of thirteen years, when he moved to 740 Third Street. He equipped the building necessary to carry on the bakery business. In 1904, 1910 and 1912 improvements and additions to the establishment were made, and to-day Mr. Hauser can boast of having one of the latest bread mixers on the market. He enjoys a large trade and is always busily engaged in baking bread, cakes, pies, and other toothsome dainties to satisfy the wants of his customers.
ELVIN KEENER. Daniel Keener, together with his son Elvin Keener, con- dueted a bakery at the corner of Second and Lehigh Streets, Hokendauqua, for two years. Desirous of better facilities and a larger field, Keener and Son built a large residence and bakery at 1125 Third Street, North Catasauqua, in 1902. The partnership continued until 1912, when the father retired from the busi- ness, leaving the son as sole proprietor. An ever-increasing demand for the Keener output taxes the capacity of the plant, although additions and improve- ments have been made since it was first occupied. Two teams are constantly employed, early and late, in dispensing its products.
FRANK KLINGLER. For a period of fifty-three years a bakery has been
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located at 235 Front Street. It was in 1861 that a Mr. Albright from Philadel phia built the house and erected one of the first bakeries in this locality. The establishment has changed hands many times. The present proprietor is Frank Klingler.
THE W. J. SMITH COMPANY. During the summer of 1895, Mr. Wilson J. Smith began to distribute confectionery to candy shops by means of one horse and a small spring wagon.
When the season of muddy roads began, Mr. Smith purchased a second horse so as to divide the draught burden between a double span.
After hard labor for a period of seven years, Mr. Smith succeeded in build- ing up so large a trade as to require the services of three two-horse tea ns and five men to handle all the goods.
In 1898, he purchased a briek stable on Race Street and converted it into a factory, storage, and office rooms.
Finding the work too onerous for himself alone to handle, he associated Edwin J. Smith, his nephew, in 1904, with the business so as to form the W. J. Smith Company on the basis of a limited partnership.
In 1912 the firm purchased an auto-truck which is used on solid roads, while the horse teams are still in use on mud roads.
The territory of their route extends throughout the Lehigh and upper Dela- ware valleys and towns, and a narrow strip along the western border of New Jersey.
Their output during 1913 was about eight hundred fifty tons of candy.
THE FULLER OIL & SUPPLY COMPANY. Mr. C. H. Fuller began to sell lubricating and burning oils, fish, cottonseed and lard oils, tallow, cup and gear greases, and mill supplies some time during 1898.
After his death Mr. E. H. Donecker purchased the business from the estate, in March, 1912.
Mr. Donecker also carries a line of pulleys, shafting and belting, the " Viola" anti-friction Babbitt metals, packings, hose and general supplies.
By careful attention to the trade and the use of sound business methods. the business has increased fifty per cent.
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DEEMER & LITZENBERGER. The progressive firm of Electricians, T. J. Deemer and W. J. Litzenberger, established an office in Catasauqua, August 1st, 1903. They added another room to their display parlors on Bridge Street, in 1907, and now carry a complete line of electrical chandeliers. domes, motors, lamps, switch boards, and all manner of supplies. They have wired and in- stalled fixtures in many houses, factories, stores, churches and other public buildings in Catasauqua, Fullerton, Allentown, Kutztown, Palmerton, Lehighton, Walnutport and other neighboring towns and villages.
AMMON H. BACHMAN. The Star Electric Company was established by Ammon H. Bachman at Front and Cherry Streets, in August, 1908. Mr. Bach- man contracts for all manner of electrical work. He is a competent mechanic and has many installations to his credit. Repaid work is his specialty. With him it means light on the subject at all times.
JOSEPH MATCHETTE AND SON. Joseph Matehette became connected with the Judson Powder Company of New York, in 1882. In time the E. [. Du Pont de Nemours Powder Company assumed control.
He was the first demonstrator and user of high explosives in this section, as well as the first selling agent in the twelve counties of southeastern Penn- sylvania, which constitute an agent's territory.
Mr. Matchette also sold the products of the Ingersoll Rock Drill Company of New York-later the Ingersoll Rand Company: He did pioneer work also in this line, furnishing drilling machines and machinery for quarry and railroad construction work, which was a means of greatly advancing operations in lime- stone, slate and cement industries.
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