USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 12
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
CHARLES D. DETWEILER, who is identi- fied with the industrial interests of Allentown as proprietor of a large blacksmithing establish- ment, was born in this city in 1859, his parents being Charles and Anna (Reinsmith) Detweiler. The family is of Holland lineage, and was founded in America by the great-grandfather of Charles D. Detweiler, who on emigrating from Holland settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his remaining days. His son, John Detweiler, was born and reared in Berks county, and afterward established his home in Lehigh county. He married Anna Lohrman, whose birth occurred in Lehigh county. Their son, Charles Detweiler, father of Charles D. Det- weiler, was born in Allentown, May 5, 1833, and was the eldest in a family of five children. The others are Mary, who became the wife of Isaac Ganawere; Tilghman, who is married and lives in Scranton, Pennsylvania ; and Henry, who mar- ried and resides in Allentown.
Charles Detweiler was eleven years of age when his mother died, and was left an orphan four years later by the death of his father. He attended the public schools to a limited extent, but being thrown upon his own resources at the time of his father's death his educational priv- ileges were accordingly somewhat meager. Af- ter being employed as a farm hand for several seasons, he entered upon a three years' appren- ticeship to the blacksmith's trade under Peter Heller, and when he had mastered the business he received as his first years wages a sum of twenty-five dollars and his board and clothing. He was employed by others until he resolved to begin business on his own account, and opened a shop, which developed into the largest estab- lishment of the kind in Allentown. As the years advanced, his business increased in volume and made him one of the successful residents of his borough. As his sons reached years of maturity they became associated with him in business, and eventually became proprietors of the establish- ment which he founded. In 1890 he built a large shop at No. 531-533 Walnut street. This is a brick structure, two stories in height and forty
by forty-two feet in dimensions. He also ex- tended his business connections and became in- terested as a stockholder in several enterprises in the city, including the Iowa Barb Wire Com- pany and the Nuding Brewing Company. In his political views, Mr. Detweiler was an earnest Democrat, and fraternally, he was connected with the Lehigh Lodge, No. 83, I. O. O. F. In 1884 he was elected to represent the second ward in the select council of Allentown for three years, and his official duties were always faithfully and conscientiously performed. In all matters of citi- zenship he was progressive and public-spirited, and he took just pride in the growth and develop- ment of Allentown, witnessing its substantial up- building for many years. His death occurred in 1902.
In March, 1855, he married Miss Anna Rein- smith, a native of Lehigh county, and a daugh- ter of Peter Reinsmith, who was born in White- hall township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Det- weiler became the parents of five children: Charles D .; Flora, who became the wife of Will- iam J. Fenstermacher, and has two children, Charles and Harry; George, who married Mary Hillegos ; Robert, who married Annie Avery, and has one child, Anna; and Harry, who died at the age of twenty-seven years.
Charles D. Detweiler, the eldest son of Charles and Anna (Reinsmith) Detweiler, attended the public schools, and also pursued a course in a business college. He afterward began working for his father, spending three years in learning the blacksmith's trade. His business connection with his father continued until the latter's death in 1902, covering a period of twenty-six years. He and his brother George then continued the business until 1903, when the partnership was dissolved, and Charles D. Detweiler purchased the place which he now occupies, while George Detweiler continued business at the old location. Since going alone Mr. Detweiler of this review has been very successful, having a large patronage, which makes his busi- ness a profitable one and his long con- nection with the trade, as well as his capability,
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
makes him one of the leading representatives of this line of activity in Allentown. In politics, Charles D. Detweiler is an independent Democrat, and he and his family are connected with the Re- formed church.
He married Miss Emma Bickel, a daughter of Edwin and Caroline (Fischer) Bickel, whose children were Louisa, wife of Martin Klinger, by whom she has one child, Eva ; Charles, who mar- Anna - of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and now lives in Philadelphia with his wife and two chil- dren, Charles and Hellen ; and Emma, the wife of Charles D. Detweiler. There are two children by this marriage: Florence and Edgar, the former the wife of Edward Tuttle.
ROBERT JACOB YEAGER, a retired citi- zen of Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, is a native of the city in which he now resides, the eldest son of the Rev. Joshua and Maria (Grim) Yeager, the former named being a son of the Rev. John Conrad and Barbara (Smith) Yeager, and the latter a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Shimer) Grim. The Rev. Joshua and Maria (Grim) Yeager were the parents of five children, namely: I. Robert Jacob, mentioned hereinafter. 2. Amanda, who married Josiah Reem, and their child Effie became the wife of Mr. Osborne, no issue. 3. Dr. Theodore, who married Emma Wilson, and they are the parents of two children-Minnie, wife of Mr. Nicholas, and mother of one child, Isabella, they reside in Chicago, Illinois; and Dr. Norton Yeager, un- married. 4. Anna Maria, who became the wife of josiah Reem, (above), and their daughter Annette is unmarried and resides in Chicago, Illi- nois. 5. Sarah Ann, who died in infancy.
Robert J. Yeager received his education in the public schools of Allentown, and after com- pleting his studies entered the firm of Yeager & Weidner as clerk, to learn the mercantile business. He remained in their employ for several years, later was actively identified with the business con- ducted by Robert S. Brown, and subsequently purchased a farm of forty acres which was de- yoted to the production of general farming prod-
ucts. This property was in what is now known as the Tenth Ward of Allentown, and the greater part of it has been sold for building purposes, Mr. Yeager realizing a goodly profit from the sale thereof. He conducted his farm successfully for a number of years, after which he retired from active labor, and is now enjoying the ease and comfort which should be the natural sequence of years of arduous and unremitting toil. He ad- heres to the doctrines of the Lutheran church, and is firm in his advocacy of the principles of Republicanism.
Mr. Yeager was united in marriage to Ma- tilda Deily, of Hanover township, Pennsylvania, and three children were the issue of this union: I. Albert Jacob, who married Lida Barrett, no issue; he was instantly killed in a trolley acci- dent on Lehigh Mountain, on the Philadelphia & Lehigh Traction Railroad, he was in a run- away car, his wife being with him and received injuries that caused her death after four weeks of suffering. 2. Andrew Lincoln, mentioned in the following paragraph. 3. Elenore, who died in infancy. Matilda (Deily) Yeager is one of eight children born to Jacob and Mary (Geisein- ger) Deily, namely : 1. Sarah, wife of Rudolphus Kent, and mother of three children-Jacob, a graduate of West Point, participated in the Cu- ban war, now retired; Mary, unmarried; John, married, and resides in Philadelphia. 2. George,
who married Eliza Fogle, and their children are George, unmarried; and Mary, wife of Peter
Laubach. 3. Franklin, who married Sarah Desch, and their daughter Amelia became the wife of Charles Milson, M. D., and is the mother of four children. 4. Solomon, who died unmar- ried. 5. Maria, who became the wife of Samuel Culver, and their children are: Mary, wife of Mr. Weikle, and mother of one child ; Jacob, who married Florence Heller, and they are the par- ents of one child ; Rudolph, deceased ; Frank, who married and one child was born to him; Eliza- beth, wife of Harry Beidel; Matilda, wife of Henry Schnurman, and mother of two children ; and Amanda, wife of Allan Dresher, and mother of two children. 6. Eliza, wife of Daniel Levan,
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
and their son Daniel married Miss Leh ; no issue. 7. Matilda, above referred to as the wife of Rob- ert J. Yeager. 8. Clara, who became the wife of Edward Brown, and their son Harry married Mil- lie Trumbauer, and they are the parents of two children, Allen and Annie Brown. Clara married for her second husband Frank Medlar ; no issue.
Andrew Lincoln Yeager, only surviving child of Robert J. and Matilda Yeager, was educated in the public schools, and the knowledge thus ob- tained was supplemented by a course at a business college. He learned the trade of cigar making with Feltman & Schnurman, with whom he re- mained two years, after which he went to work on his father's property and established a truck farm. In due course of time he added green- houses to this plant, and now has about five thou- sand feet under glass. He is making a specialty of carnations, but at the same time raises a full line of everything desired by a retail trade, and . devotes particular attention and space to vege- table plants. He is a member of the Lutheran church, a Republican in politics, and an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.
Andrew L. Yeager married Ella Kleckner, daughter of George W. and Zenia (Newhard) Kleckner, the former named being a son of Will- iam and Clara (Quier) Kleckner, and the latter named a daughter of Abraham and Hannah (Botz) Newhard. Mrs. Yeager is one of six children, namely: I. Amanda, wife of Walter Kuhns, and mother of two children, Winston, and Charles Kuhns; 2. Ella; 3. Francis, who mar- ried Millie Seeler, and their children are Martin and Robert Kleckner ; 4. Ida, wife of Nathaniel Ritter, and mother of one child, Esther Ritter; 5. Clara, wife of Harry Kuhns, and mother of one child, Marie Kuhns; 6. Percy, unmarried. 1
IRWIN BELL SHELLING, an enterprising and prosperous business man, proprietor of one one of the most extensive and select establish- ments for the sale of staple and fancy groceries, is a native of South Easton, Pennsylvania, son of Emanuel R. and Sarah (Paff) Shelling, and
grandson of Frederick and Mary (Farrell) Shell- ing. Emanuel R. and Sarah (Paff) Shelling had a family of four children, as follows: (1) Charles, who married Alice Sheckler, and they are the parents of one child, Raymond Shelling. (2) Clara, unmarried. (3) Irwin Bell, mentioned hereinafter. (4) Jennie, who became-the wife of the Hon. F. M. Trexler, and their children are as follows: Edward, Dorothy, Francis, Marion, and Robert.
Irwin B. Shelling attended the common schools in the vicinity of his home, and at the early age of thirteen years engaged in lumbering on the Lehigh river, which occupation he con- tinued until he attained the age of seventeen years. He then secured employment with the Pennsyl- vania & Reading Railroad, at East Pennsylvania Junction, remaining in their employ for seven consecutive years. In 1885 he established a gro- cery business at the corner of Penn and Union streets, Allentown, and from the beginning this enterprise was attended with a large degree of success. After the expiration of two years he found it necessary to increase his facilities in order to meet the demands of his constantly in- creasing trade, and he accordingly erected the stores Nos. 446-448 Union street, and in due course of time his business warranted the open- ing of a second store. This was located at 519 Hamilton street, and he remained there until 1904, when the "City Item" newspaper erected a new building with all the modern improvements at 608-610 Hamilton street, and Mr. Shelling rented the entire lower floor. This he thorough- ly stocked with a large and select line of staple and fancy groceries, and he also handles a full line of meats and vegetables in their season, the manufactured meats being prepared by Mr. Shell- ing under his personal supervision. His estab- lishment is not only the largest and best stocked in the city of Allentown, but it can also claim the distinction of being the best throughout the Le- high Valley, as in addition to the excellence of its goods it is noted for the prompt and courteous attention given to each and every customer and patron by Mr. Shelling and his employes. The
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
confidence and esteem in which he is held by his tellow-citizens is evidenced by the fact that he has served in the city council one term, and has also been a member of the board of school di- rectors. He is a Republican in politics.
Mr. Shelling married Carrie Ernst, who bore him twelve children, three of whom died in in- fancy. The surviving members of the family are: Ruth, Ernst, Bessie, Paul, Edith, Edwin, Herbert, Mildred, and Richard, the baby of the family. Mr. Shelling and his family are members of the Presbyterian church of Allentown, Penn- sylvania. Mrs. Shelling is the daughter of Jacob and Emmeline (Greisemer) Ernst, who had two other children, Bertha and Minnie. Mrs. Shell- ing's father came to this country from Germany. Jacob Ernst was previously married, and the child of this union, Elizabeth Ernst, became the wife of Jonathan D. Wieand, and they are the par- ents of the following named children : Tilghman Lewis, who married Rebecca Egge, and they are the parents of four children: Mary, wife of Cle- ment A. Everhart; Emma Elizabeth, wife of Irving Freeman, and mother of four children; Florence ; and Carrie, wife of Dr. E. B. Heston.
R. F. HOWELL is actively and prominently connected with industrial interests in North- ampton county as superintendent of the Cleve- land Slate Quarry, located in Plainfield township, near Pen Argyl. He is descended from old and illustrious families in both the paternal and ma- ternal lines. His great-grandfather, John How- ell, was of Welsh lineage, and located in Phil- lipsburg, New Jersey. He became a farmer of that locality, and owned about two hundred acres .of land in what is now known as Phillipsburg Flats. He married a Miss Greaser, and to them were born seven children: John, Joseph, Asher, George, Mrs. Boyer, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Breakley. After the death of the great-grand- father his son Joseph purchased the estate, of which he was the owner until his demise.
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Joseph Howell, the grandfather of R. F. Howell, was born on his father's farm at Phil-
lipsburg, New Jersey, in 1798, and leaving that estate took up his abode at Easton, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a general store for two years. About 1826 he removed to Martin's Creek, where in company with Peter Michler and George H. Howell he engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber, flour and whisky. For about three years he followed that business, and in 1830 he purchased the Biedleman farm, near Green's Bridge, New Jersey, where he resided for six years. He next bought a farm near Siegfried's Bridge, upon which he erected a large flouring mill, continuing its operation for nine years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Green's Bridge, where in 1891 his death occurred. He was mar- ried in early manhood to Miss Sarah Wagner, a daughter of David and Rosanna Wagner, and they became the parents of ten children : David, John, Mary, William A., Elizabeth, Rosanna, Jo- seph, Abraham, Budd and Justice. Of this num- ber John, Joseph, Rosanna, Mary and Budd are deceased. Abraham and Budd were soldiers of the Civil war and the former is now a resident of Easton, Pennsylvania, but the latter died while in the service.
William A. Howell, the father of R. F. Howell, was born at Green's Bridge in 1827, and became a farmer and lumberman. He prospered in his business undertakings, his well directed ef- forts, capable management and enterprise bring- ing to him creditable success. At the present time, however, he is living retired with his sec- ond wife. His first wife, Emma DeWitt, was born in New Jersey in 1832, and by this marriage there were twelve children, eight of whom are yet living, namely : Richard Fair ; Joseph, a min- ister of the Presbyterian church; Washington, ? farmer ; Mrs. Rebecca Doney; Mrs. Lilly Weaver; Hugh A., a teacher in Cuba ; Helen ; and Edmund, who also follows agricultural pur- suits. Both the Howells and DeWitts were es- tablished in Warren county, New Jersey, at a very early period, and took an active part in the pioneer development of that section of the coun- try. We find them in possession of the first carriage ever seen in that portion of the country,
W. W. COTTINGHAM
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GENEALOGICAL AND. PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
and they were the owners of the first piano, which shows that they were not only able finan- cially to gratify their tastes but had consid- erable musical talent as well. Many old family relics are in possession of their descendants, who still reside at Green's Bridge, New Jersey.
R. F. Howell, a son of William A. and Emma D. Howell, was born in Phillipsburg, New Jer- sey, November 29, 1856, and pursued his educa- tion in the common schools of his native town and of Columbia, New Jersey, also spending one term as a student in Trach's Academy in Easton, Pennsylvania. In his early boyhood days he lived on a farm, and became familiar with the task of cultivating the fields, but when he attained his majority he turned his attention to the slate in- dustry, with which he has since been connected. He was employer at Bangor until 1895; was at East Bangor until 1901 ; he is now located in the latter place, where he owns and occupies a neat and comfortable residence. He is filling the posi- tion of superintendent of the Cleveland Slate Quarry located in Plainfield township, near Pen Argyl, having acted in this capacity for three years, while for six years previous he was gen- eral manager at the Star Quarry, East Bangor. He directs the labors of eighty-five men who serve under him, and, being thoroughly conver- sant with the work, enterprising and diligent, has made the business a profitable one for those whom he represents.
R. F. Howell is a member of the Golden Eagle Lodge of East Bangor, and he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church of Bangor. He was united in marriage to Miss Margaret D. Roberts, a daughter of William and Martha ( Weidman) Roberts. Mrs. Howell was born at East Bangor, Pennsylvania, in 1862, and was a granddaughter of Jacob Weidman, a clock maker and repairer who was very useful in his line of business in the Lehigh Valley. His wife was Margarett Houser, and their children were James, Ellen J. Kellow, Catherine Rotzell, Martha A. Roberts Evans. Mrs. Violet Houck, Mrs. Linda Jones, Mrs. Lillian Brown and Mrs. Carrie Williams.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Howell oc- curred in 1882, and has been blessed with five children : William, Emma, DeWitt, Elmer and Martha.
PROFESSOR WILLIAM WHITE COT- TINGHAM has for half a century been superin- tendent of the public schools of Easton, a record which is unparalleled by that of any other public school superintendent of the country. He is the author and founder of the present school system of his city, and although now in the eightieth year of his age still stands at the head of the institu- tion. It is interesting to note that from the begin- ning of this long and useful service, to the present time, he never asked nor sought for the position to which he was called.
He was born in Easton December 6, 1824. He is a descendant of Jonathan and Margaret Cottingham, whose son, Daniel, born December 5, 1724, was married on the 24th of January, 1753, to Ann Cooper. He died January 27, 1778, and his wife died September 29, 1789. They had a son John, born June 14, 1754, died January 6, 1829, married Priscilla Fleming, April 15, 1787. She was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, July 29, 1760, and died May 16, 1827, and was a daughter of William and Sarah (Cox) Fleming. Her father was a descendant of Colonel John Fleming.
Robert Cottingham, father of Professor Cot- tingham, was born in Maryland, September 10. 1799, and died June 28, 1880. About 1820 he ar- rived in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he became a dry-goods merchant, continuing in that busi- ness until his death. He married Miss Sophia White, a daughter of William and Susan ( Ever- hart) White. The White family is of English lineage. The grandfather of Mrs. Cottingham bore the name of William White, and married Martha Matilda Mason, of Oxford, New Jersey. Their son, William White, Jr., wedded Susan Everhart, a daughter of John Arnold Everhart, who in 1757 married Anna Margaret Weaver, who was born in 1740, and died in 1824. Her parents were Frederick and Catherine Weaver.
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
Professor William W. Cottingham was the second in a family of nine children, five of whom are yet living, 1904. His boyhood days were spent in his native city, and he began his educa- tion in a private school conducted by Miss Ger- trude Kemper, on Northampton street, in Easton. He afterward attended a school conducted by Mrs. Prior, in a frame building nearly opposite the present location of the high school of Easton, on Second street. In 1834 the law regarding public schools went into effect, and Mr. Cotting- ham became one of the first pupils in the first public schools of Easton, conducted by Josial Davis. He afterward also attended a select school taught by Mr. Davis, and later he became a student under Dr. Vanderveer, prior to enter- ing upon business life. On putting aside his text books he became an able assistant to his father in the dry-goods and grocery store, but two years experience in that direction convinced him that his talent did not lay along that line. Leaving the store he entered the model school of Lafayette College, then under the direction of Professor D. P. Yeomans, there preparing for college. Matri- culating in Lafayette College, he pursued a four years' course and was graduated in 1848 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Later his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. The board of trustees of Lafayette College elected him a tutor in that institution immedi- ately after his graduation, and he served in that capacity for a year, but, anxious to prepare him- self for still more advanced labor in the educa- tional field, he entered Princeton Seminary. After two years spent as a student there, he was invited to take charge of the academy at Haddonfield, New Jersey, in which the classics and higher mathematics were taught. While he was serving there the board of trustees of Lafayette College recalled him to a tutorship in that institution, when he returned to his former field of labor. The financial standing of Lafayette College was not then very good, and the salaries were accordingly small, and Professor Cottingham, feeling that he might have better opportunities elsewhere, re- signed his position. He was instrumental in procuring the union of Lafayette College and the
high school. Several months later he was re- quested to take charge of a school in South Easton until a permanent teacher could be se- cured. Mr. Cottingham complied, and no other teacher was employed before the end of the term. During his residence there he became quite inter- ested in the work of teaching the canal boys, and he resolved to devote his time to that service. For a half century he has been continuously connected with Easton schools. In August, 1853, he was elected to the office of principal of the high school of Easton, and in August of the same year he became the successor of Mr. St. John, as su- perintendent of the public schools of the city. His efforts have since been untiring and unre- mitting in behalf of the educational development of Easton.
At the time of his election to the superinten- dency, the free school project was comparatively new --- still an experiment. In 1843, Rev. John P. Hecht was appointed superintendent, who de- voted his time and talents to the work, most faithfully. He was followed in 1849 by Rev. Oliver St. John, who for the first time received a fixed salary, still having, however, the South Easton schools under his administration. He labored hard and incessantly until 1853. While the schools were then far in advance of anything yet expected in the district, says the report of the state superintendent of public schools, "They failed to secure either sympathy or encourage- ment from the many prominent and influential citizens of the town. This was owing partly to the fact that private schools furnished a more thorough and elevated course of instruction than the limited provisions of the public schools would admit." Much trouble was caused by the clamor and opposition excited in the town against the then existing school management ; caprice rather than settled principle guided it. Want of har- mony in the board, disputes and quarrels, re- sulted, and the interests of the schools were neg- lected. The classification of pupils was imper- fect. and it gave much dissatisfaction. The board and the public soon learned that a regular and competent superintendent was needed, whose business it should be to devote his time to the
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