USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
Chester Snyder was born in Easton in Janu- ary, 1860, and attended private and public schools in his boyhood days, after which he was em- ployed as a bookkeeper and in other important clerical positions. January 28, 1895, he secured a position in the First National Bank of Easton and May 15, 1900, was elected cashier of that institution, which position he now holds. He is also treasurer of the Northampton Traction Com- pany, and president of the Electric Light and Gas Company. He is also a member of the Building and Loan Association and thus his business ac- tivity is connected with many interests of the community and has proven a stimulus to the com- mercial and industrial development of this part of the state. Mr. Snyder is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party.
He married Amanda Barron, a member of one of the "oldest and most prominent families of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. They have five children : Daniel W., now a student in Lafayette College ; Marion, deceased ; Harold, who has also passed away ; and Norman and Edward C., who are attending the public schools.
JOHN BACON, treasurer of the Easton Trust Company, of Easton, Pennsylvania, was born in Philadelphia, September 30, 1842. The ancestral history, as far back as there is authentic record, presents first the name of Sir Nathaniel Bacon. He was the father of Nathaniel Bacon, second, who was banished by King Charles II, for writing a book against the Church of Eng- land. John Bacon, son of Nathaniel Bacon, sec- ond, was born in England, and with two brothers emigrated to America. Although the exact date of their arrival is unknown, they came before 1685, for in that year John Bacon and one of his brothers settled in Salem, New Jersey, while in 1688 he married the daughter of Hon. John Smith. John Bacon served as justice of the peace
of Salem, New Jersey, from 1696 until 1697, and again from 1699 until 1701. He was a member of the Society of Friends. His son, John Bacon, second, was born in March, 1698, in Salem, New Jersey, maried Elizabeth Smith, and died in 1755.
Job Bacon, son of John Bacon, second, was born October 6, 1735, and when a young man went to Philadelphia, where he engaged in mer- chandising, successfully following that pursuit throughout his business career. He was mar- ried, February 24, 1774, to Mary Lownes, who was born in what is now Springfield, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1742, and died June 22, 1803. She was the tenth child of Joseph Lownes, who was born June 2, 1699, and died August 1, 1781. His grandfather Lownes was born and lived in England, but after his death his widow came with her children to. America, settling in Springfield.
John Bacon, son of Job and Mary (Lownes) Bacon, was born in Philadelphia, Sep- tember 4, 1779, and became his father's successor in business in partnership with Joshua Long- streth. Subsequently the firm of Bacon and Longstreth was dissolved, and Mr. Bacon con- tinued in the business alone until appointed city treasurer of Philadelphia, in which capacity he- served for thirteen years. He took a leading and helpful part in the promotion of many pub- lic enterprises and served as a director and treas- urer of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum from its establishment, was a director and inspector of the Lancaster Turnpike from December 13, 1817, until his death, covering a period of about forty- two years, and was inspector and treasurer of the Eastern Penitentiary from its establishment. He turned the first shovel of earth at the time the . foundation was begun for that institution, and was actively interested in the work until the building was completed at a cost of $673,620.80. He wedded Mary Ann Warder, September 22, 1801, and died October 3, 1859.
Charles Warder Bacon, son of John and Mary Ann Bacon, and father of John Bacon of this review, was born in Philadelphia, January 25, 1806. He early entered mercantile circles in his native city, where he became familiar with the
119
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
business, continuing his connection therewith until 1830. In that year he went to Pottsville, where he entered the bank at that place, but in 1836 he returned to Philadelphia, where he en- gaged in the coal trade, and about 1845 entered the employ of the Schuylkill Navigation Com- pany, was afterwards made treasurer, and was connected with the corporation for thirty years, or until the time of his demise, May 25, 1875. He was three times married, his second wife being Mary Thomas, a daughter of Daniel and Ag- ness (Johnson) Thomas.
John Bacon, son of Charles Warder and Mary (Thomas) Bacon, completed his education in the Central High School at Philadelphia, in which he was graduated in the class of 1858. Like his ancestors, he became connected with mercantile interests in Philadelphia, and was thus associated with business circles of that city until 1865, when he removed to Glendon, Northampton county, to accept the position of cashier with the Glendon Iron Company. In 1890 he removed to Easton, and upon the organization of the Easton Trust Company became its treasurer, which represents his business affiliation at the present time.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Bacon was an advocate of the Union cause. He became a lieu- tenant in the Thirty-third Regiment (Blue Re- serves) Infantry, Pennsylvania Militia, and was twice called out in service. For twenty-five years while at Glendon he filled the office of justice of the peace. He is a director of the H. G. Tombler Grocery Company, a charter member of the Pomfret Club, and of the Northampton Country Club. He was brought up in the Society of Friends. Since living in Easton he has been con- nected with the Episcopal church.
Mr. Bacon was twice married. His first wife was Harriet A., daughter of John and Eliza Knight Vogel, of Philadelphia, who died August 14, 1866. On the 15th of September, 1869, he was married to Emilie Burke, a daughter of John and Matilda (Runkle) Burke, of Easton. She was born September 30, 1843, and died December 19, 1901. There were five children by that mar- riage : I. Matilda Runkle, born November 1, 1870, who is the wife of William Marsh Michler, and
has three children, John Francis, Emilie Bacon and Margaret Henry. 2. Agnes Thomas, born December 21, 1871, who is the wife of Frederick L. Hess, and has one daughter, Anna Bacon. 3. Charles Warder, born June 24, 1873, died March 5, 1880. 4. John, born October 18, 1876, who was educated in the Easton schools, married Jeanette Morrow and has one daughter, Mary Morrow. 5. Howard Burke, born February 12, 1879, who pursued his education in the schools of Easton and in Lafayette College, being a grad- uate in the latter institution as a civil engineer with the class of 1901.
JOHN S. NOBLE, a banker and broker of Easton, whose public-spirited interest in the pro- gress and welfare of his city has made him one of its valued residents, was born March 2, 1851, a representative of an old New England family.
His paternal grandparents were Rev. Bird- sey and Elizabeth (Sanford) Noble, the former a clergyman of the Episcopal church. Their son, Frederick W. Noble, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, and pursued his early education in public and private schools of New England. When a young man he removed westward to Pennsylvania, locating in Easton, where he en- gaged in the hardware business at the corner of South Third street and Center Square, where the Easton Trust Building now stands and which property he owned. He was successfully engaged in the conduct of that enterprise until about ten years prior to his death, his connection with the mercantile interests of the city covering a period of four decades. He was also one of the organ- izers of the Merchants' Bank of Easton, and be- came a member of its first board of directors. He was also identified with other public enter- prises for the benefit of his community, putting forth strenuous effort in behalf of measures that contribute to its material, social, intellectual and moral advancement. As a diversion from the cares of a mercantile career he conducted a fine stock farm, and he became actively interested in the Farmers' Institute and in the fairs which were annually held in Easton. His political al- legiance was given the Whig party until its dis-
I20
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
solution, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. His religious faith was that of the Episcopal church, in which he was reared. In early manhood he married Anna Sebring, of Easton, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William L. and Elizabeth (Davis) Sebring. Her father was a prominent lawyer of Easton, who served as associate judge in the county court, and was at one time a member of the state legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Noble became the parents of four chil- dren : John S., Lizzie Sebring and Nina, who are both deacesed, and Edith N., the wife of William Hackett, president of the Easton National Bank. The father died in 1887 at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife in 1892, when sixty-five years of age.
John S. Noble, having completed the studies that constitute the curriculum of the grammar schools in Easton, entered the high school of that city, in which he was graduated, and in 1869 further continued his studies by matriculating in Lafayette College. A few months later, however, he put aside his text books and went to Ottawa, Illinois, with a civil engineering corps. At a later date he returned to Lafayette College, where he pursued a special course of study, and he en- tered upon the study of law in the office of C. M. Anstett, of Easton, who acted as his preceptor. However, an advantageous business opportunity presenting itself, he became conected with a hard- ware store, and opened an establishment, selling out a number of years later in order to engage in the insurance, conveyance and brokerage busi- ness. In 1899 he formed a partnership with H. T. Buckley, in the private banking firm of H. T. Buckley & Company, of Easton, and is to-day one of the foremost representatives of financial circles in his city. Mr. Noble was one of the organizers of the Easton board of trade and its first secretary, and has put forth well directed and effective effort for the commercial and in- dustrial development of his city. He was largely instrumental in securing the establishment of the Simon silk mills at Easton, and other enterprises have felt the impetus of his co-operation. For several years he filled the office of city clerk, and for more than thirty years has been notary pub-
lic, which position he still holds, serving the Easton National Bank. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he belongs to the Mckinley Club. Socially he is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men, and re- ligiously with the Episcopal church.
Mr. Noble was married, April 18, 1883, to Miss Florence Baldwin, of Mauch Chunk, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of Isaac and Charlotte (Hol- land) Baldwin. There are two children of this marriage, Charlotte and John S. Noble.
MICHAEL BUTZ, who was during a long and peculiarly active career one of the most enter- prising citizens of Easton, a leading merchant and manufacturer, and prominent in public af- fairs, was a descendant of an old and honored Pennsylvania ancestry. He was born in Palmer township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1796, a son of Christian Butz.
Michael Butz, father of Christian Butz, was born in Springfield township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and his father was a native of the Pfalz region in Germany. Michael Butz re- moved in 1763 to Northampton county, and set- tled upon a farm of 320 acres which he purchased that year (May 10) from Paul Abel. He was a member of the first military company organized in Easton, in 1763, and during the Revolutionary war he was with the patriot army as a teamster, using his own team. He lived to an advanced age, and died in Palmer township, Northampton county. His wife, who was Elizabeth Messinger, bore him eleven children; the sons were Henry, Michael, Peter, George, Abraham, Christian and Jacob; the daughters were Mrs. Heller, Mrs. Emory, Mrs. Odenwelder and Mrs. Hilliand.
Christian Butz, son of Michael and Eliza- beth (Messinger) Butz, was born in Springfield township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Novem- ber 18, 1756. He was a child when his parents removed to Palmer township, Northampton county, and there was reared on the paternal farm. He married Mary Wagner, who was of Quaker descent, and well carried the simple dig- nity of that people. Her father was Daniel Wag- ner, who owned a large tract of land on both
Michal huty
I2I
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
sides of Bushkill creek, and whose home was one of the most beautiful in the vicinity of Easton. Mr. Butz moved into Easton and built what was then one of the most stately residences in that region, and which even to-day presents a mod- ern appearance. He was sagacious in business affairs, conducting his farm with success, and also owning and operating a grist-mill, and in his day was deemed a wealthy man. It is remem- bered of him that he was among the first to in- troduce a gig in the neighborhood, which at- tracted much attention when he and his wife used it upon the public roads. They were a con- genial couple, deeply attached to each other and to their family, and were exemplary members of the Reformed church. They were the parents of seven children-Jacob, Daniel, Michael, David, Elizabeth, Susan and Mary. One of their chil- dren came to a most distressing death. Mrs. Butz had placed the babe in its cradle, and on re- turning to the room shortly afterward discovered to her horror that a snake had buried its fangs in the little one. Mr. Butz died in 1821, at the age of sixty-five years. His widow then removed to Easton, where she passed her declining years in a comfortable home.
Michael Butz, son of Christian and Mary (Wagner) Butz, was born in Palmer township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on the fam- ily homestead, January 1, 1796. He was four years old when his parents removed to Easton, where he was a student in the old academy, with Mr. Miles as his teacher. He completed his education at Doylestown, under the Rev. Mr. Du- Bois, in whose family he lived during the time.
When sixteen years of age, Michael Butz en- gaged in work in his father's mill, meantime re- ceiving instruction from his brother. In 1818, with his brother Jacob, he engaged in a mercan- tile business in Easton. In 1827 he purchased the old homestead with its mill, operating the lat- ter in connection with his store. While generally successful in business, Mr. Butz also experienced some serious losses. With his brother, in 1837, he embarked in a woolen manufacturing busi- ness, in which they remained for six years, when
they abandoned the enterprise, having lost con- siderable means. The venture was, however, highly advantageous to the town, for it marked the beginning of what developed into an industry of great importance. Mr. Butz retired from his mercantile business in 1856, continuing his mill- ing business until 1870, and during these periods he had in his employ at one time or other several young men who afterwards came to prominence in commercial life.
Mr. Butz was throughout his life active in all pertaining to community affairs. In his early manhood he was a member of the famous Easton Union Guards, which was from 1816 (the year of its organization) to 1829, the pride of the city, its membership being made up of its foremost young citizens, and he was a corporal when he marched with it to Philadelphia to join in the wonderfully enthusiastic greeting to Lafayette when he visited that city in 1824. For some fifty years he was a director in the bank which became the National Bank of Easton, and he was a member of the town council for many years. He was a man of unusually wise judg- ment, keen foresight, public spirit and enterprise, and it is to be said of him that during his active career he was an efficient leader in promoting the best interests of the community. In his personal life he was considerate and sympathetic. His aid was freely extended to assist in the establish- ment of a worthy neighbor, and he afforded liberally of his means to benevolent and chari- table objects. He connected himself with the Re- formed church at the early age of fifteen years, and he was throughout his life one of its most exemplary members, and during all his manhood one of its leading men, serving it usefully in various official stations. In 1845 he built the home in which he reared his family, and which is now occupied by some of his children, and is situated on Fourth street, in the heart of the city. He died November 5, 1889.
Mr. Butz married, on October 22, 1822, Eliz- abeth Shimer, a daughter of Jacob Shimer, and the following named children, five sons and three daughters, were born of this marriage :
I22
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
I. Mary, born July, 1823, died December 5, 1881.
2. Eliza, born March 12, 1826, died in January, 1843.
3. Jacob, born April 3, 1828, died January 10, 1901. He succeeded his father in the mer- cantile business. His wife was Adelia Bixler, and they were the parents of four children- Charles M., Elizabeth, Eloise and Lewis.
4. David, born April 21, 1831, died Septem- ber 10, 1898. He was a lumber dealer by occu- pation, and he served honorably in the Union army during the rebellion.
5. Charles, born June 6, 1834, died October 1, 1838.
6. Matilda, born May 5, 1837. She married, August II, 1869, Henry R. Chidsey, who was born in Easton, June 16, 1834, a son of Russell Chidsey. He was a hardware and stove merchant by occupation. He was a member of the Amer- ican Reformed church, and was president of the town council at the time of his death, July 21, 1870.
7. Samuel, born September 9, 1840, who be- come a shirt manufacurer in Easton.
8. Edward, born August 31, 1844. He is a lumber manufacturer by occupation. He mar- ried, in 1870, Annie E. Geary, and to them were born two children-Mary, December 25, 1870, and Edward, February 6, 1873.
JOHN POLLOCK, one of Easton's oldest, best known and most highly respected citizens, was born in Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, October 7, 1810, and died in Easton, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 17, 1889.
His father, James Pollock, and his maternal grandfather, Alexander Hill, with their families, left Scotland for America, July 13, 1817, and landed at Boston on August 27. In a short time they moved to Trenton, New Jersey, and a few years later to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where they remained for about two years, afterward re- turning to Trenton, where Mr. Pollock engaged in business. James Pollock was a ruling elder and an enthusiastic worker in the First Presby- terian church of Trenton for many years. On
his retirement from business, he made his home in Easton, with his son John, who had preceded him there. He died December 14, 1856, his wife, Helen Hill, having died in Trenton, February 20, 1827. Mr. Pollock was the father of eleven chil- dren: Margaret and James, who both died in infancy ; Alexander, John, Margaret, Mary, James, Barbara, Jannet, who died in infancy ; Jannet, and Helen Hill.
John Pollock, fourth child and third son of James and Helen (Hill) Pollock, was not quite seven years old when his parents came to Amer- ica. He was educated in the schools of Trenton, New Jersey. When about sixteen years of age he learned the brushmaker's trade with Joseph Yard, not only mastering the trade but also winning the entire confidence of his employer, who, on the day the young man was twenty years of age, sent him to Easton to start and conduct a branch of his brushmaking establishment. After managing this business for two years, young Pol- lock went to Newark, New Jersey, where he em- barked in business for himself. He remained there two years, then returned to Easton in 1834, and purchased the branch store of his former employer. This business, which is still carried on in his name, was built up and extended by his ability and foresight. At the time of his death he liad been engaged in business continuously for a longer period than any other resident of Easton.
While Mr. Pollock was a force in the industrial life of the city, this was not the only field in which his unusual capabilities were brought into action. He was practically interested in all matters of public welfare, and exerted an influence for morality and social betterment. It was perhaps to his Scotch blood that he owed the strong fibre of his character ; certainly he possessed in marked degree the tenacity of purpose and uncompro- mising principles that distinguish the Scottish race. In politics he was an ardent Republican. He was a firm advocate of popular education, was especially devoted to the interests of the public schools of Easton, and served as a member of the board of school controllers for nine years. During his term of office he was conscientious in
123
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
the discharge of all his duties and always en- joyed the highest esteem and confidence of his associates in the board.
But Mr. Pollock's chief interest was centered in his church. He was a devout Christian, and for some years after he came to Easton was prom- inently connected with the First Presbyterian church. He was one of the first to take part in the organization of the Brainerd Presbyterian church, of which he was at once made a trustee and deacon, and a few years later he was elected a ruling elder, which positions he held to the time of his death. An extract from the minute book of the session of the church, says : "He pos- sessed the love and respect of the entire mem- bership. In his life he was a witness for the truth. As a counselor he was wise and judicious. In discipline he was kind and firm, regarding always the recovery of the offender and the purity of the church. In intercourse he was loving and helpful. 'He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost.'" Mr. Pollock was a liberal man in pro- portion to his means, and in all respects a citizen in whose quiet unassuming life was found much to admire and honor.
He married, March 15, 1848, Miss Margaret McMurtrie, of Easton, Pennsylvania. Their children were: Mary ; Henry, who died April 16, 1882; Margaret, died May 20, 1868; William H., died March 30, 1885 ; and Emily. The sons, after completing their education, were engaged in business with their father up to the time of their death. Henry married Katherine A. Housel, and had three children-Henry Coleman, Margaret Jones (deceased), and John Douglas.
ALEXANDER CARSON LABARRE, of Easton, Pennsylvania, who was for many years widely known as an advanced educator, and who has for nearly a quarter of a century played a distinguished part in the political arena, having frequently been called by his fellow-citizens to fill positions of honor and responsibility, is of Huguenot ancestry, tracing his descent from Pierre LaBarre, who with his brothers, Charles and Abraham, came to America about 1730, and settled near the Delaware Water Gap. Pierre
LaBarre in his new home led the life of a pioneer, clearing land and tilling the soil for himself and those who were to come after him. He and his brothers, like William Penn, were very friendly with the Indians, by whom they were regarded with feelings of confidence and good will.
Pierre (or Peter) LaBarre, the emigrant an- cestor, was the father of a son, George, who was a farmer, and lived to the great age of one hun- dred and six years. He had two sons, John and George. The latter was still more remarkable for longevity than his father had been, inasmuch as when he died in 1874, he had completed one hundred and eleven years. The fact that the family numbers among its members two who had entered upon their second century of existence certainly speaks well for the physical endurance of the race.
Samuel G. LaBarre, son of John, mentioned above, grandson of George, and great-grandson of Pierre, the emigrant ancestor, was born De- cember 25, 1821, near Slateford, Upper Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, and fol- lowed in the course of his life the occupations of both farmer and school-teacher. Politically he was a Democrat, and took an active part in pub- lic affairs, serving in 1872 as a member of the legislature. He was a member of the Baptist church, in which he held the office of deacon. He married Sarah Ann Datesman, who was born November 29, 1828, in Upper Mount Bethel township. She was of German descent, daugh- ter of Philip Datesman, a farmer. In the course of his long and active career, Mr. LaBarre was regarded by all who were in any way associated with him as a man worthy of the greatest respect and confidence, by reason of his sound ability and sterling character.
Alexander Carson LaBarre, son of Samuel G. and Sarah Ann (Datesman) LaBarre, was born February 13, 1848, near Slateford, Upper Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and was a school teacher at the early age of nineteen. In 1871 he graduated from the State normal school at Millersville, and in 1882 from Lafayette College. He was at one time a farmer. His career as an educator, which
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.