USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 26
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The Coyle family is of Irish lineage, and was founded in America by Peter Coyle, a native of the Emerald Isle, who crossed the briny deep to the new world in 1832, accompanied by his fam- ily. He was twice married, and by the first union had a son, Bernard, who was born in Ireland in 1829, and who was three years of age at the time of the emigration to the United States. Mr. Coyle resided for some time in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, but subsequently removed to Eas- ton, where he engaged in boating on the canal. Hc died in Easton at an advanced age, respected by all who knew him.
While Peter Coyle resided at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, Bernard Coyle served as a member of an engineer corps there, and at various times followed other vocations. He was rcared to habits of industry and enterprise, and became an
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active factor in business circles. In 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Wilhelm, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah Wilhelm, and after spending thirteen years of happy married life in Mauch Chunk they removed to Chester, Penn- sylvania, in 1866. There nine years were passed and in 1869 Mr. Coyle came with his family to Easton, where he established a coal yard, in which business he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1885. He was also a farmer, and owned one hundred and twenty acres of land in the vicinity of Glendon. His business activity formed the foundation of his successful career, and added to this was his straightforward deal- ing and his trustworthiness. He lived at peace with his fellow men nor was he ever known to take advantage of the necessities of any in his trade transactions. To Bernard Coyle and his wife were born six children, five of whom are now living: Thomas, who has charge of the Le- high Valley shops at Perth Amboy, New Jer- sey ; John, who is a foreman in these shops, at Easton ; Henry, who is there employed as a ma- chinist ; William, of this review ; and Mrs. Sarah McCabe.
Under the parental roof the boyhood days of William Coyle were quietly and uneventfully passed. Various duties were assigned him in his youth, and these alternated his attendance at the public schools, wherein he acquired a good Eng- lish education. He assisted his father largely in the conduct of the coal yard as he grew in years and strength, and upon the demise of his father, in 1885, he succeeded to the business, which he has since greatly enlarged, the extent and volume . of the trade having been increased many fold since he assumed control. He now handles six thousand tons of coal annually, and employs seven ice wagons in the delivering of that cooling commodity in Easton throughout the summer months. Mr. Coyle is well known in the city in which he makes his home, and has the favor and friendship of many with whom he is brought in contact. He has made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation as a business man. In all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valuing his own
self-respect as infinitely more preferable than wealth, fame or position. In those finer traits of character which combine to form that which we term friendship, which endears man to man in bonds which nothing but the stain of dishonor can sever, which triumph and shine brightest in the hour of adversity-in those qualities he is royally endowed. He is a member of the Meth- odist Church, a Republican in politics, having been elected county commissioner in 1896, and served six years, and is now and has been chair- man of the county committee for four years, and a member of Dallas Lodge No. 396, of Easton, Free and Accepted Masons ; Pomp Council No. 20, and Easton Chapter No. 173.
In January, 1882, Mr. Coyle was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Brown, who was born in South Easton, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Alexander and Harriet Brown. One daughter was the issue of this union, Rosie F., whose birth occurred in 1889. Mrs. Coyle died March 13, 1902.
AARON UNANGST is one of the well known residents of South Easton, Pennsylvania, who for a number of years has been an active business man. He has well earned the proud American title of a self-made man, and there is perhaps in this history no life record which more strongly exemplifies the force of industry and en- ergy in the active affairs of life than does that of Mr. Unangst, who has been identified with build- ing interests and with the undertaking business. He was born in Williams township, Northampton county, on the IIth of September, 1824, and is a son of Peter and Margaret (Deemer) Unangst.
In the paternal line he comes of a family of German lineage. His father died when the son was but two years of age, so that the place of his birth is unknown by the family. The mother, however, was born in Williams township. By her marriage she had eight children, but Aaron Unangst is the only surviving member of the family. The father gave his time and energy to farming, and thus provided for the wants and needs of his wife and children. His political tendencies were Democratic, and he supported
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by his ballot the men and measures of that party. Following his death, which occurred in 1826, his widow became the wife of Peter Shively, but there were no children by that marriage.
The changes which occurred in the little family circle caused Aaron Unangst to be thrown upon his own resources at a very early age. He went to live with his sister, Mrs. Hinkle, and his edu- cation was acquired in Easton, his residence in that city dating from 1833. When he was old enough to become a factor in industrial life, he was apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed until 1854. In that year he turned his attention to carpentering, and at the same time took up the undertaking business, in which he has continued to the present time. He has worked persistently, never turning aside into the field of speculation, but placing his dependence upon the more substantial qualities of earnest and indefatigable effort. He has proved himself a useful resident of the city of Easton, and has been honored by his fellow townsmen with positions of public trust.
In his political views Mr. Unangst is a Repub- lican, and has served in the capacity of council- man in the borough of South Easton before the annexation to the city. His success in life has by no means been the result of fortunate cir- cumstances. It has come to him through energy, labor and perseverance, directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business prin- ciples. He has made the most of his opportuni- ties, and thus he has gained a place on the plane of affluence. In manner he is quick and straight- forward, saying exactly what he means without the addition of useless compliment. He com- mands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact, and his successful career wins their ad- miration.
In 1852, Mr. Unangst was united in marriage to Miss Hannah W. Zane, who came of a family of Quaker faith. Her parents were William and Mary (Cutwalt) Zane, who removed to Easton in 1832 from Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, where their daughter Hannah had been born in 1829. The father was employed by the Lehigh Coal Navigation Company, in the capacity of agent
or superintendent, and was long a trusted repre- sentative of that firm. He was associated with Mr. White in trying to ignite the newly dis- covered "stone coal" when it was first taken from the earth. An active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he contributed generously to its support, labored earnestly for the extension of its influence, and held many important positions, the duties of which he discharged faithfully and promptly. He was highly esteemed by the brethren of the denomination, and by all with whom he came in contact. One of his sons, Redinger Zane, was the first white child born at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, his natal day be- ing February 28, 1820. The parents had lo- cated there the previous year, having removed from the falls of Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Unangst has been blessed with the following children: Mary and George, both deceased ; Daniel B., and Elizabeth H.
W. U. STOCKER. Man's worth in the world is determined by his success and his use- fulness; the estimate of his character is based upon what he has accomplished for himself and the service he has rendered to others. In the analysis of the life of W. U. Stocker we find that in both particulars he has developed a well rounded, symmetrical character, for he is to-day one of the most active and prominent represen- tatives of industrial and commercial activity, and his labors have been directed along lines which produce general prosperity as well as individual success. For a number of years he has carried on the manufacture and sale of lumber with phenom- enal success, and at all times he has sustained an untarnished reputation in trade circles.
The ancestral history of the family presents the record of two brothers, Leonard and Adam Stocker, who emigrated from Holland to Amer- ica about 1770, and settled in Paradise township, Monroe county, Pennsylvania. They were active and energetic farmers, who made the best use of their time and opportunities. Leonard Stocker, the grandfather of W. U. Stocker, was united in marriage to Miss Himer, and removed to New Jersey where he purchased a tract of land com-
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prising three hundred and forty-five acres. This was bounded on the south by the Delaware river, and was situated adjacent to Easton and Phillips- burg. He lived and prospered in his new home, and there reared his family of seven children, all of whom have now passed away.
Of this number John Stocker, the father of W. U. Stocker, was a native of Monroe county, Pennsylvania, but accompanied his parents to New Jersey. At the demise of his father in 1835, the land was sold and the proceeds divided among the children, who afterward removed to various localities, where they became loyal and influential citizens. John Stocker was twice mar- ried. He first wedded a Miss Kichline, by whom he had three children. His second wife, the mother of W. U. Stocker, bore the maiden name of Rosanna Steckel, and they had twelve chil- dren, eight sons and four daughters. About 1830, John Stocker removed with his family from New Jersey to Williams township, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, where he devoted his energies to various pursuits, being an active and industrious man, to whose nature indolence and idleness were utterly foreign. He pur- chased some land which included limestone beds, and he operated a quarry and burned lime, which he shipped to various points by means of the canal. He also conducted a store and did a profitable business as a merchant. At one time he successfully ยท conducted a hotel, and was a popular landlord. By trade, however, he was a carpenter. He died in the year 1889, and for about two years his wife survived him, passing away in 1891. Both were members of the Lutheran church, and were widely and favorably known. In their family were twelve children, of whom four are living: W. U., who is engaged in the lumber business in Easton; George W., Jackson E., and James H. Stocker.
For eighty years W. U. Stocker has traveled life's journey, his birth having occurred in New Jersey, September 12, 1823. He was a youth of ten when his parents became residents of Will- iams township, Northampton county, where he was reared and educated. When not engaged with the duties of the school room, he worked
in his father's quarry, and was thus employed until 1840, when he turned his attention to farm- ing. In 1844, he leased several acres of mineral land near the south side of Easton, which he valued at fifty thousand dollars, and this he finally sold to the Glendon Iron Company. In 1850, he was married and in 1852 he rented a. farm on the Bushkill, where he remained until 1855, when he returned to his father-in-law's farm, which he later purchased, this consisting of one hundred and twenty-nine acres. In 1860, he began to purchase the standing timber on various tracts of land, and this he soon converted into lumber, which was the beginning of his con- nection with the lumber industry, wherein he has gained his wealth. Selling his farm in Williams township in 1868, he removed to the south side of Easton, and became identified with mercantile interests in the city, establishing a home at the corner of Center and Canal streets. He was also at the same time carrying on an extensive lumber trade, but in 1877 he discontinued his active operations, which inactivity continued for two years. It was impossible because of his energetic nature to remain longer outside of active busi- ness connections, and in 1879 he again began to operate in the lumber business, which he has con- tinued to the present time. He has been a very extensive manufacturer of lumber, and has dealt very largely in this commodity, his annual sales reaching a high figure, and one which has brought to him a very desirable profit.
For fifty-three years Mr. and Mrs. Stocker have traveled life's journey together as man and wife. The lady bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Laubach, and is a daughter of Christian Lau- bach. She was born in Williams township, North- ampton county, in 1828, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, one son, deceased, and four daughters who are yet living. These are Mrs. Barr, Mrs. Becker, Mrs. Altemus and Mrs. Sampson. Mr. Stocker is a member of the Lutheran church, his wife of the Reformed church, and they are earnest consistent Christian people whose lives have been exemplary as fol- lowers of the cause of Christ. Few residents of this county have been longer connected with its
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active business interests than he, and certainly the record of no other has been more honorable or more straightforward in dealing with his fellow- men. Close application, unremitting diligence, a recognition and improvement of opportunity and close adherence to the ethics of commercial life, these have formed the foundation upon which he has builded his splendid success.
URBANUS S. WIREBACH is a worthy representative of one of the old and distinguished families of what was once the borough of South Easton, and the growth and development of that part of the city was largely due to his father. His paternal great-grandfather was Isaac Wire- bach, a native of Germany, who on leaving his native land established his home in Pennsylvania, at an early epoch in the development of this state. He and his wife settled in Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, where they purchased a farm and made for themselves a comfortable home. Among their children was Jacob Wirebach, who was born in Springfield township, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania. After reaching mature years he was three times married. He first wedded a Miss Acker- man, and to them was born one child. His second union was with Elizabeth Eighmy, and their chil- dren numbered six, while by his third wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Wolslayer, he had ten children, thus becoming by the three mar- riages the father of seventeen children, fifteen of whom reached adult age and became valued citizens of the communities in which they lived.
Jacob Wirebach, Sr., the grandfather of Ur- banus S. Wirebach, owned about one hundred acres of land and was a practical farmer, person- ally operating his land and gaining thereby a comfortable living. He was a consistent Chris- tian, a member of the German Reformed church. He possessed remarkable patience and endurance, was kind and benevolent, and his worth in the world was widely acknowledged by those who knew aught of his career or came in contact with him. He was beloved not only by his relatives, but also by innumerable friends, and his death, which occurred when he had attained an ad- vanced age, was deeply regretted by all.
Jacob C. Wirebach, the father of Urbanus Wirebach, was born in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1808, and there he married Catherine Short, a daughter of Captain George and Salome Short, the wedding taking place about 1825. The lady was a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, born in 1807. Her father, a native of Virginia, served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and thus won his title. Coming to the Keystone state, he settled in Springfield township, Bucks county, where he conducted a general store and was looked upon as a man of usefulness and in- fluence in his town and county.
In 1835, Jacob C. Wirebach removed with his family to Easton, and in 1857 he purchased of the Lehigh Coal Navigation Company a farm of one hundred acres, covering the hill on which is built that portion of the city known as the south side. He divided this farm into city lots, which he sold very cheap and on long time payments, thus making an inducement for men to buy and build homes for themselves, when otherwise it would have been impossible for them to do so, if they had to pay cash for their property. This resulted in the growth of the city to a very large extent, and Mr. Wirebach was deserving of much credit for what he accomplished in this direction. He was a man of unfaltering honor and of un- assailable integrity, and his many friends placed implicit confidence in his every word and deed, nor had they ever reason to regret the trust given him. He was honored more than any other man of the community with local positions of trust and responsibility. He served as collector of taxes in 1846, and was chief burgess for some time. He was also councilman and constable, and for twenty years was justice of the peace, proving an officer whose public career was above a shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He belonged to the German Reformed church, and his life was in harmony with the teachings of Him, who came not to be ministered unto but to minister. He died in 1877, while his wife passed away in 1879. They were the parents of nine children : Manasses, deceased ; Salome, Urbanus, Margaret E., Hannah M., Susanna B., Sarah E., Alice C., and Jacob H., also deceased.
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Urbanus Wirebach was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1833, and was only two years old when his parents removed to Easton, so that lie was educated in the schools of this city and spent the days of his boyhood and youth here. He has followed various business lines, which have brought to him a desirable compe- tence, and in business circles he has ever sus- tained an enviable reputation.
When he reached his majority, he was united in marriage to Miss Lena Berry, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Berry. The wedding, cele- brated in 1853, has been blessed with twelve children, seven of whom are yet living, as fol- lows: Catherine E., F. S., Harry, Daisy, Belle, Emma and Elsie. His sons are employed as carpenters in the Lehigh Valley shops.
Like his father and grandfather Mr. Wire- bach is popular with his fellow citizens, and was elected and served as high constable for four years, while for nine years he was supervisor of the streets. At the present writing he is assessor of the Eleventh Ward.
A. H. R. GUILEY. The work of the medi- cal profession is regarded by many as the one of most value to the human race, and certainly he is deserving of gratitude who devotes his energies, conscientiously and earnestly, to the alleviation of human suffering and to the restora- tions of man's most priceless possession-health. One of the most capable representatives of the medical fraternity in Easton, Pennsylvania, is Dr. Guiley, whose knowledge of medicine is com- prehensive and accurate, and whose close fidelity to the ethics of the profession has won him the highest regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity, as well as of the general public.
Dr. Guiley is descended from Holland and German ancestry, in the paternal and maternal lines, respectively. His great-grandfather, John Guiley, was born in 1757, and was one of the Hessians who were captured by General Wash- ington, at Trenton, New Jersey, on the 26th of December, 1776. To him and his wife Rachel was born a son, to whom they gave the name of John. His birth occurred in Reading, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1787, and he married Miss Mary C. Clinger. They became the parents of John Guiley, the 3d, born in Reading, February 24, 1826. After arriving at years of maturity, he wedded Miss Margaret Wirebach. Her great- grandfather was Isaac Wirebach, who emigrated from Germany to the United States at an early day, settling in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Of his children, Jacob Wirebach was the great- grandfather of Dr. Guiley, and was born in Sor- ingfield township, Bucks county. He was three times married, first to Miss Mary Ackerman, by whom he had one child. His second wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Eughmy, and to them were born six children. For his third wife he chose Margaret Woolsleyer, and they had a son, Philip, who is yet living. Of the seventeen children born to Jacob Wirebach, fifteen reached years of maturity, and become well known mem- bers of society, taking an active part in public affairs in the communities in which they resided, while representatives of the name contributed largely to the advancement and upbuilding of South Eeaston.
Jacob C. Wirebach, the grandfather of Dr. Guiley, was born in Springfield township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and after his mar- riage to Catherine Short, he removed to Easton, locating there in 1835. In 1857, he purchased the Hill farm of the Lehigh Coal Navigation Company, containing about one hundred acres of land, and this he divided into building lots and sold to the poor mechanics and laborers at a low figure and upon very reasonable terms. This was the beginning of the growth of South Easton, and proved a benefaction to the poor who were thus enabled to gain homes for them- selves. Mr. Wirebach was a very generous man, and his friends were numbered by the score. He served as justice of the peace for about twenty years, was burgess of the borough, tax collector, constable and held other other minor offices, the duties of which he discharged with marked fidelity, for in matters of citizenship he was both public-spirited and loyal. Like his forefathers he adhered to the faith of the German Reformed church. His father-in-law, Captain George
A.NR. Guilty MA.
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Short, who took an active part in the war of 1812, came from Virginia, and for years con- ducted a general store in Springfield township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Jacob C. Wire- bach and his wife Catherine had nine children : Salome, Urbanus, Margaret, Hannah, Susan, Sarah, and Alice, and two deceased. Jacob C. Wirebach died in 1877, and his wife passed away in 1879. The world was better for their having lived, and their memory is still cherished in the hearts of those who knew them.
Previous to his marriage Dr. Guiley's father resided for some years in Reading, Pennsylvania, and in 1852 came to Easton, where he took sub- contracts for building the roadbed of the Le- high Valley Railroad, and later began merchan- dising, as proprietor of a dry-goods store. Sub- sequently he turned his attention to the drug trade, and carried on his store in that line until 1878. Eventually he removed to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring June 17, 1896. His widow still survives him. Their children are A. H. R., Kate, Florence, deceased ; Emily, and S. Estella Guiley.
Dr. Guiley was born at the family home on Canal street, in Easton, in 1855, and was reared and educated here, pursuing his studies in the public schools until he had completed the high school course with high honors in the class of 1872. He then entered Lafayette College, where he remained as a student for two years, after which he entered the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in which he was graduated in 1877, capturing the J. M. Toner gold medal and the R. J. Levis gold medal. Immediately return- ing to his native city, he opened an office and entered upon the practice of his chosen calling, and his career is in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, for in the city of his birth he has won prominence as a practitioner, and gained the confidence of the public because of his hon- orable life and marked ability in the line of his chosen vocation. He has practiced here continu- ously since 1877, with the exception of two years spent in Kansas. He is informed concerning the
methods and beliefs of the two leading schools of medicine, and he uses the one which his judg- ment directs in the care of his patients. In a profession where advancement depends upon in- dividual merit, Dr. Guiley has continually ad- vanced and is to-day accounted one of the ablest representatives of the medical fraternity in this city. His personal worth, too, has won him a high place in the public regard, and he has the esteem of all who know him because of his no- bility of character and deference for the opin- ions of others.
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