USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 27
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In the year of his graduation, on the 20th of October, Dr. Guiley led to the marriage altar Miss Anna W. Thomas, who was born in South Easton, April 25, 1827, and is a daughter of John J. and Mary Thomas. Her people removed to this city about the time the Guiley family was established here, and have since been respected and valued residents of the county. To Dr. Guiley and his wife has been born one son : Henri A., whose birth occurred in Wykoff, Rus- sell county, Kansas, March 22, 1880. He is a graduate of the High school of Easton and also of Lafayette College, of the class of 1901, and is now a mining engineer.
JOHN A. WALTMAN, a representative of the commercial interests of Easton, now engaged in the successful conduct of a grocery store, was born in this city, May 25, 1851, and comes of German ancestry. His paternal great-grand- father was a native of Germany, and emigrated to this country at a very early period in the de- velopment of the Lehigh valley, in which he settled and reared his family. His son, Peter Waltman, was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and in his family were five children: Hannah, Anna, Joseph, Polly, and Eliza.
Of this number Joseph Waltman became the father of John A. Waltman. He was one of the well known and respected residents of the Lehigh valley throughout his active and eventful life. His birth occurred in Allentown, Penn- sylvania, October 28, 1806, and there he was reared and educated. At an early age he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade,
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and his natural mechanical ability and close appli- cation soon made him an expert workman. He built his first dam in 1820, and became noted as the best bridge builder between Mauch Chunk and Easton. In 1834, he removed to the latter city, where he made a permanent location, although in 1835 he took up his abode in that portion of the city now known as the south side. In 1835-36 he built the cotton mills here, and in 1836 erected the residence of Dr. Slough. I 184I he turned his attention to bridge-building, in which work he had no superior, either in the stability of the structure nor the beauty of design. In 1842, he was employed by the Glendon Com- pany, with which he was connected for some time. He sank the first cribbing for the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge across the Delaware river in 1853, and executed many important contracts, which were granted him because of his leadership in the line of activity which he chose as his life work.
In 1830, Joseph Waltman was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary M. Bast, and to them were born ten children : Adeline, Samuel, Frank, Henry and Henriette, twins, the former deceased, Mary, Peter, deceased; William, Joseph, and John. The father of this family was an exem- plary member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his life ever commanded the admir- ation and respect of his fellowmen. He died May 13, 1896, and his wife passed away October 6, 1890.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for John A. Waltman in his youth. He was reared under the parental roof and attended the public schools, thus acquir- ing an education that well fitted him for the re- sponsible and practical duties of life. He and his brothers learned the carpenter's trade, and he continued to work at that pursuit until 1888, when he entered the grocery business, establish- ing a store which he has since conducted with marked success, prospering beyond his most san- guine hopes. His stock is carefully selected, well arranged for convenience and also to present an attractive appearance, and a glance into his place of business thus often solves for the perplexed
housewife the puzzling question of "what to eat ?" His trade is now large, and he derives a good income from his labors and investment.
On the 17th of July, 1878, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Waltman and Miss Kate Wirebach, a daughter of Urbanus and Lena Wirebach. She was born in Easton, March 6, 1854. They now have three children: Raymond I., who was born January 29, 1880, and is assisting his father in the store ; Aaron T., born May 1, 1883, is oper- ating in the mechanical department of the Easton Dental Supply Company; and J. Byron, born October 27, 1890, is still in school. Mr. Walt- man is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and enjoys the full confidence of his brethren of the lodge. He has served as a capable and progressive member of the school board for sixteen years, and is a much respected citizen of Easton.
JAMES M. DIEHL. The ancestral history of him whose name introduces this review can be traced back to John Diehl, who was a resident of Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and the great- grandfather of James M. Diehl. It will thus be seen that the family was established in the Key- stone state at an early epoch in its development, and as the years have passed the representatives of the name have been active and prominent in the work of development and improvement.
George Diehl, the grandfather of James M. Diehl, was born in Wayne county, and after ar- riving at years of maturity wedded Susan Fens- termacher, whose birth occurred in Northamp- ton county. About 1842, George Diehl removed to Easton and there made his home and reared his family. His children were Reuben, Charles, William, John, Celinda, Catherine, Susan, and Polly A., all of whom were born in Northampton county. Of this number Reuben and William became millers, and for a number of years fol- lowed that pursuit, while Charles Diehl was a molder in early life. During the Civil war, how- ever, he enlisted in the United States service and faithfully aided his country in the struggle to pre- serve the Union for three years. Upon his return home, he was employed by the Western Union
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Telegraph Company, and later he accepted a posi- tion as foreman over a number of men engaged in laying the Atlantic cable. The other son of the family, John Diehl, died ere attaining his majority.
Reuben Diehl, the father of James M. Diehl, was born in Northampton county, in 1828, and in early life learned the miller's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Later he entered into business arrangements with the Prudential Life Insurance Company, and was connected with that corporation up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1899. His children were five in number : Henry and Emanus, both deceased ; James M., Edwin, born in July, 1854 ; and Frank, born in 1864. These sons were reared and edu- cated in Easton, and are now worthy and active business men of the city.
James M. Diehl was born in August, 1852, and after acquiring his education in the public schools turned his attention to the flour and feed business. This seemed a natural consequence because his ancestors were millers, and he was more or less familiar with the commodity which he handled. To that line of trade he devoted his time and energies until 1893, when he turned his attention to the real estate business, and has since built up an extensive clientage in that line. He is well informed concerning realty values, and has negotiated many important realty transfers. In 1893, he was elected justice of the peace. and filled that position in a most capable manner for three terms "winning golden opinions from all sorts of people." By the governor Mr. Diehl was appointed notary public, and the appointment was confirmed by the senate, so that he is now acting in that capacity.
In 1874, as celebrated the marriage of James M. Diehl and Miss Louise Zellener, a daughter of Levi and Kate (Lambert) Zellener. The lady was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1850, and their marriage has been blessed with five children, of whom four are yet living, namely : Lillie M., who is employed as a cashier ; Edwin M., an electrician of New York; Henry J., a machinist ; and Floyd M.
Edwin Diehl was engaged in the dry goods
business in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for a number of years, but his store was damaged to such an extent by the flood there that it caused him to abandon the business and the city. He then returned to his native city, in 1903, and is now engaged in the real estate business in con- nection with his brother, James M. Diehl, of this review. The firm is a strong one in business. circles in Easton, and their patronage has con- stantly grown in volume and importance. In 1880, Edwin Diehl was united in marriage to. Miss Ursula Smith, and they have two children : Clarence E. and Louise M. The mother was born in Easton in 1856. The Diehl family has long been prominently known in the Lehigh valley, and James M. and Edwin Diehl are repre- sentative citizens of Easton, occupying an en- viable position in business circles and also in the public regard.
GEORGE BANGO is the well known and popular proprietor of the Lafayette Hotel, borough of West Easton, and for almost forty years has conducted this house in a manner sat- isfactory to the public and profitable to himself.
He is a native of France, his birth having occurred in Faileau, near the river Rhine, in the year 1834. When a youth of fifteen years he crossed the Atlantic to America in 1849, spending a short time in Williamsburg, New York, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade, but he found that this disagreed with his health, and in con- sequence abandoned that pursuit. He next turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, but did not complete his apprenticeship, and in 1849 he came to Easton, where he accepted a position in the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, at which time the company was constructing its roadbed. In 1851 he left the railroad service and purchased a canal boat and team, devoting his time and energies to the hauling of coal in this way. For sixteen years he carried on the boating business with much profit, and then abandoned the canal and embarked in a new enterprise, that of quarrying stone. In 1867 he purchased his present hotel property, and has since been the genial host of the Lafayette House, which is well
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conducted and is a progressive hostelry, always keeping abreast with the enterprising spirit of the times. Mr. Bango puts forth every effort in his power to promote the comfort and welfare of those whom he entertains, and is a popular host who has gained many friends among his partons. He has accommodations for twenty-four guests, and the hotel is conducted in an excellent manner.
Mr. Bango has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Frances Staley, in 1858, and they became the parents of eight children, namely : Louise, Mary, Josephine, William, Emma, Kate, George and Ann. Of this number Louise and Emma are now deceased. The wife and mother died in 1881, and in the following year Mr. Bango was again married, his second union being with Miss Rose Mulvaney, a native of Ireland. Mr. Bango and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. He has kept in touch with all of the improvements and changes made in the Lehigh valley, and is deeply interested in its welfare, while as a public spirited citizen he has labored for its advancement and substantial upbuilding. He is well known in this section of the state, where almost his entire life has been passed, and the sterling traits of his character have gained for him the regard of many friends.
TITUS A. STEINER is serving as justice of the peace in Easton, a position he has filled for a third of a century with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is thor- oughly impartial in meting out justice, his opin- ions being unbiased by either fear or favor, and his fidelity to the trust reposed in him is above question. He is regarded as one of the most highly respected citizens of Easton, and it is therefore consistent that he be represented in this work, whose province is the portrayal of the lives of the leading men of the Lehigh Valley.
Mr. Steiner was born in 1843 in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, of which county his parents, Adam and Hannah (Rinker) Steiner, were also natives. In 1855 they removed to Easton, and took up their residence on Mauch Chunk street. By trade the father was a carpenter, and continued to follow that occupation throughout the years
of his active business life, but in later years when his physical health would not stand such arduous toil, he removed to Allentown and there spent the last ten years of his life in ease and retirement. He died in 1888, at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife died in 1870, aged fifty-five. Their family consisted of three children, namely : Mrs. John Steiner, a resident of Richland township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania ; Mrs. Emma Holt, of the south side of Easton ; and Titus A., of this review.
Having come to Easton with his parents during boyhood, Titus A. Steiner pursued his education in the schools of the south side, and after leaving school engaged in clerking in a store for a period of nine years. He subsequently taught school for twenty years, but has since given his attention principally to his official du- ties, having been elected justice of the peace and notary public in 1870. These offices he still re- tains. He served as burgess of the borough of South Easton two years, and also held many minor offices.
On the 9th of May, 1875, Mr. Steiner was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ott, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Ott. Her father was a prosperous farmer of Mount Bethel, and owned a large tract of land in South Easton. He was a highly respected citizen of that place and a man of prominence in the community, serving as a member of the council for a number of years. Later in life he removed to Nazareth, Pennsyl- vania, where he died in 1879. Of his six chil- dren only two are now living, these being Mrs. Steiner and Mrs. Odenwelder. Mr. Steiner and his wife have no children.
Mr. Steiner is not only prominent politically, but is also popular in social circles. In 1870, he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Easton Lodge, No. 152, and in a very creditable and impressive manner he has since filled all the chairs of honor in that lodge. He is also a member of Chapter No. 173, R. A. M., and is a Sir Knight and Past Eminent Com- mander in Hugh DePayne Commandery. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Easton, where as a member of the choir his voice
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has rang out in songs of praises to God for thirty years. He has a fine, well trained bass voice, of great volume, and is a lover of music. He is also a member of the Orpheus Singing Club, which is conducted by Professor Charles Knauss. His wife worships at the Reformed church, and both are earnest Christian people who have the love and confidence of all who know them.
JAMES MARTIN. One of the alert, enter- prising and progressive business men of West Easton is James Martin, who is conducting a general store well supplied with a large line of carefully selected goods. He is one of the native sons of this borough, his birth having occurred here in 1868.
He was reared and educated in his native township on the old Richard homestead, his parents being James and Rachel (Bunting) Mar- tin, both of whom were natives of England, the former having been born in 1842 and the latter in 1846. Their marriage was solemnized in their native land, and they emigrated to the new world in 1862, hoping to find better business oppor- tunities in this country, and to secure a compe- tence more quickly than they could hope to do in the old world. The father was an expert machinist, and was employed by the Glendon Company for a number of years, after which he entered the service of the Ingersol Company. Throughout his entire life he worked at his trade, and gained thereby a comfortable living. He died October 30, 1895, and is still survived by his widow. He was a consistent member of Lodge, No. 261, of the Order of American Mechanics, which he joined upon its organization. In the family were twelve children, nine of whom are yet living, as follows: John, James, Sarah, George, Susan, William, Edwin, Bertha and Rachel.
In taking up the personal history of James Martin we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely known in this locality, where he has always lived, having obtained a good English education in the public schools. He served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade, at which he worked for twelve years, being em-
ployed by the Ingersol Company during one half of that time. In 1893, while yet at the shop, he opened his store, his wife acting as manager in the enterprise. Six years later in 1899 he aban- doned his trade and gave exclusive attention to his mercantile interests. It was in 1893 that James Martin led to the marriage altar Miss Eliza J. Montgomery, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Montgomery of New York. By the united efforts of our subject and his wife a pay- ing trade has been established, and the patrons of the store are well satisfied with the treatment they receive, because Mr. and Mrs. Martin do everything in their power to give to their cus- tomers what is desired, and to sell to them none but first class goods. Mr. Martin further ex- tended the field of his labors by opening a butcher shop in connection with the store. This was opened on the 20th of December, 1902, and in this enterprise Mr. Martin is associated with his brother William. They now have a profitable trade in that line, and their business is continually increasing. In July, 1901, James Martin was also commissioned postmaster of West Easton, upon the establishment of the office at this place, and in 1897 he was elected one of the first councilmen in the borough.
Fraternally Mr. Martin is connected with the Order of American Mechanics, of which he has been treasurer for four years. He and his wife are devoted members of the First Memorial church of Palmer township, and they are earnest Christian people, true to their faith and their professions. A life of diligence guided by sound judgment has won for the subject of this review a comfortable competence and a creditable stand- ing in business circles. As a citizen he is pro- gressive, interested in all things pertaining to the welfare of his town, and as an official he has ever been prompt and faithful, winning com- mendation by his excellent service in public office.
DR. E. J. DECH is one of the younger repre- sentatives of the medical profession in the city of Easton, but his ability does not seem to be limited by his years, as he has already attained a standing and success in professional circles that
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many an older practitioner might well envy. One of Pennsylvania's native sons, his birth occurred in the city of Bath, on the 24th of April, 1871. He is a son of James and Anna L .. (Unangst) Dech, both of whom are natives of Northampton county. The father is now a re- tired farmer, who owns a valuable tract of land of one hundred acres. For many years he en- gaged in its cultivation and made of it a highly improved property, but now he leaves the tilling of the soil to others, and he is enjoying a well merited rest. He is a gentleman widely known and much respected in his community, and he and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Reformed church. At the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the government by doing active service in behalf of his country. His children were nine in number: Samaritan, Oscar, Harvey J., Mrs. A. Person, E. J., Rudy J., Mrs. Jacob Danner, Schuyler H. and Palmer. Of this number Harvey J. and Palmer are de- ceased. Schuyler H. is a physician, who is suc- cessfully practicing his profession in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather of Dr. E. J. Dech was Jesse Dech, a native of Dryland, Pennsylvania, and he married a Miss Ritter. The Dech's are of German lineage, and the represen- tatives of the family have been valued citizens in every community in which they have resided.
Under the parental roof Dr. E. J. Dech spent the days of his boyhood and in the common school began his education, his preliminary training being supplemented by a course of study in the academy at Bath, Pennsyl- vania. On putting aside his text books he devoted his time to pharmacy for two years, and in that period became deeply interested in the science of medicine and resolved to make its practice his life work. Accordingly, as a pre- paration for this calling he entered the Lehigh University, and subsequently took up the study of medicine. In 1890, he began reading under Dr. Moore, of Philadelphia, and in 1891 con- tinued his studies under the direction of Dr. Johnstonbaugh, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In 1894, he was graduated with high honors in the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio,
and later he pursued a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic Hospital, of New York. He was thus well qualified for the arduous and responsi- ble duties of his profession by broad and thorough preliminary training.
In 1894, Dr. Dech began the practice of med- icine in Pandora, Ohio, where he remained for six years, during which time he built up an ex- cellent business and made for himself a host of friends. During his residence there he was also elected to the position of coroner in the year 1896, and was re-elected in 1899, serving until 1900, when he resigned. In that year he returned to his native state, locating in Easton. He had been president of the Northwestern Eclectic Asso- ciation of Ohio while a resident of the Buckeye state, and filled the position most acceptably. In the city where he now makes his home, he has gained recognition as a medical practitioner of marked skill and ability, and one whose devotion to his calling and his fidelity to the ethics of the profession are noticeable features in his work. He is a worthy member of Dallas Lodge, F. and A. M., also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity.
In September, 1894, was celebrated the mar- riage of Dr. Dech and Miss Lizzie Miller, a daughter of Edwin and Caroline Miller, of Bath, Pennsylvania. The young couple have many friends in the city where they now reside, and the hospitality of many of the best homes is cor- dially extended to them. Dr. Dech now enjoys a wide practice, and is popular not only with his patients but with all who know him.
F. LOUIS MORGENSTERN. A man's reputation is the property of the world. The laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being submits to the controlling influence of others, or as a master spirit wields a power either for good or evil on the masses of mankind. There can be no impropriety in justly scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public and business relations. If he is honest and eminent in his chosen field of labor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the path that others
Water . Stier.
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may follow with like success. From among the ranks of quiet, persevering yet prominent citizens -prominent on account of what he has done in commercial circles-there is no one more de- serving of mention in a volume of this character than F. Louis Morgenstern, who has been actively identified with the building interests of Easton for many years, and whose labors have been of marked benefit to the city.
This gentleman is one of Easton's self-made men, and is certainly deserving of great credit for what he has accomplished. He was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1846, and emigrated to the United States in 1869 when a young man of twenty-three years, the business opportunities of the new world attracting him. He had heard splendid reports of American institutions and her advantages, and resolved that he would benefit thereby. On reaching the shores of the United States, he made his way to Easton, Pennsylvania, and here soon became a factor in industrial cir- cles. As the years have gone by he has built for himself a reputation for honesty of purpose, up- rightness of life and stability of character that is most enviable. In his native country he had learned the carpenter's trade, and he became an expert workman, being thorough and practical in all that he did. He continued as a journeyman at the bench until 1886, when, believing that he might profitably conduct business on his own account, he became a contractor. The result of his former faithfulness in little things and his conscientiousness in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him, gained him patronage when he started out for himself. Taking contracts, he began the erection of buildings, and his reputation soon grew and his patronage likewise increased. He then again extended the field of his labors and the scope of his activity by buying real estate and improving it through the erection of houses. He thus added materially to the development of Easton, and the nature of the buildings which he put up also improved the appearance of the city and was the source of added wealth. He has owned many houses in Easton, besides other pro- perty. His business shops are located at Pine
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