USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 28
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
street, where he has been in business for sixteen years.
Mr. Morgenstern has devoted his entire time and attention to the business, in which as a young tradesman he embarked. His life has been one of untiring industry, and he stands to-day as a splendid example of the self-made man of Amer- ica. Truly such a life is worth having lived and such lives deserve permanent record on the pages, that others, seeing their accomplishments, may follow in their footsteps. He is prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of Easton, and his life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest pur- pose.
In 1871, Mr. Morgenstern was united in mar- riage to Miss Christiana Shickley, a native of Baden, Germany, and to them have been born seven children, six of whom yet survive, namely : George A., Emma E., Oscar L., James A., who is now studying medicine with the intention of making its practice his life work; Arthur C., and Clarence E. The son who has passed away was named Charles W. Two of the sons have also been carpenters, and have erected and owned houses in the city.
WALTER C. STIER. Fortunate is he who has back of him an ancestry honorable and dis- tinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. Walter C. Stier is blessed in this respect, for he not only springs from a prominent family but has attained to an enviable position in musical and social circles, where his remarkable talent as a musician is highly appreciated.
On the paternal side he is descended from Henry Stier, a native of Antwerp, Germany, and a nobleman by birth and education, whose daugh- ter married George Calvert, the sixth Lord Bal- timore. Philip F. Stier, father of Walter C. Stier, was born in Finesville, New Jersey, on the 6th of June, 1830, and was a son of Jacob and Diana Stier, both of whom were natives of the northern part of Northampton county, Pennsyl-
160
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
vania. During his boyhood Philip F. Stier at- tended the common schools, and the education there acquired was greatly supplemented by read- ing and study in later years. By trade he was a potter. A man of prominence in his community, he became an active factor in public affairs and was elected sheriff of Northampton county in 1865. He also filled the office of coroner for some years, was a director of the Northampton County Bank, and treasurer of the Easton Fair Association for a number of years. On his re- tirement from the office of sheriff in 1868, he embarked in the wholesale tobacco business and was thus engaged throughout the remainder of his life. He was widely known and universally liked by both political parties, and in his death, which occurred April 7, 1894, the community realized that it had lost a valued citizen. In early manhood, he married Miss Malvina Schmuck, a daughter of Peter Schmuck, and to them were born three sons : Walter C., Frank E., and Philip F., deceased.
Mr. Stier of this review was born in Johnson- ville, Pennsylvania, and was given excellent ed- ucational advantages. After attending the com- mon schools of Easton, he entered Lafayette Col- lege, at which he was graduated with the class of 1884, and he is also a graduate of the New York College of Music, where he received his diploma in 1888. Subsequently he went to Paris, France, where he studied under noted artists, and com- pleted his musical education under the celebrated master, Dudley Buck, of Brooklyn, New York. He possesses remarkable musical talent, and he has met with success as teacher of both instrumental and vocal music. For twelve years he had charge of the Lafayette College of Music, and has presided with grace and effect at the organs of St. Bernard's Roman Catholic church for eighteen months, the Second Presbyterian church for one year, the First Pres- byterian church for three years. Mr. Stier was Lutheran church for three years. Mr. Stier was at the head of the Phi Gamma Delta Society of the state for twelve years, and is also a member of Dallas Lodge, No. 396, F. & A. M., Easton
Chapter, No. 137, R. A. M., Hugh De Payne Commandery, No. 19, K. T., and of Rajah Lodge, Mystic Shrine.
STEPHEN D. NAGLE. The Nagle family was founded in this country by two brothers, John and Leonard Nagle, who were born in Germany, and emigrated to America when the former was but a lad of twelve years, taking up their residence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There John Nagle learned the butcher's trade, which he followed quite successfully for a num- ber of years. After residing in Philadelphia for some years he removed to Easton, which was then a small borough, and here he made his home throughout the remainder of his life. He married a Miss Clemens, a native of Scotland, and to them were born six children, all of whom are now deceased. Of this number four were sons, namely : John, Charles, Stephen and William.
William Nagle, just mentioned, was the father of our subject. He was born in Easton in 1805, and in early life learned the tailor's trade, which he carried on in Easton as long as he was able to do the work. He was one of the best in his line in the city, and secured a good patronage. Finally, on account of failing health, he was obliged to abandon his trade, his lungs being affected, and he then sought outdoor employment. Buying a boat, he followed the canal until his life's labors were ended in death, in 1854. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1888. She bore the maiden name of Sarah Hauk, and was born in Easton in 1805. Their family con- sisted of ten children, three of whom are now living : Louise, Anna and Stephen D.
The last named was born in Easton in 1844,. his birth occurring in the house which has now been his home for fifty-nine years, having never moved during his entire life. He was reared and educated in much the usual manner of boys of his day, and throughout his business career he has followed the tinsmith's trade, his shop being situated on Church street. Being a good work- man he enjoys an excellent patronage.
In 1879 Mr. Nagle was united in marriage
.
161
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
to Miss Mary Mosher, who was born in Easton in 1856, her parents being John and Elizabeth Mosher. This union was blessed with four chil- dren : Mary, deceased ; Ada ; Lou, deceased ; a. Eva. A peculiar fact in reference to this family is that while they are all females, the first letter of each name when put together spells "male," making the family of all girls both male and female. Socially, Mr. Nagle is an honored mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum, the Home Circle, and the United Order of American Mechanics, and he is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him on account of his genuine worth and many excellencies of character.
ALBERT C. KLECKNER, of Easton, Fenn- sylvania, a popular railroad man, and one of the most valued employees of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, comes of a family counted among the earliest settlers of the Lehigh Valley. He is in the direct line of descent from one of three brothers of the name who came from Ger- many and made homes for themselves in the vir- gin lands of Lehigh county. One of these brothers became the father of Casper Kleckner, a prosperous farmer, considered wealthy in his day. To Casper Kleckner were born seven chil- dren, one of whom was Charles, a rich and influ- ential citizen of Lehigh county. The three chil- dren of Charles Kleckner were Peter, Benjamin and Mary.
Peter, son of Charles Kleckner, was born in Bucks county, and became a carriage builder. With his brother Benjamin he at one time con- ducted a business in that line at South Bethlehem. As far back as 1840 Peter ran a stage line be- tween Bethlehem and Philadelphia. His wife was Caroline George, of Bucks county. Both Peter and his wife were members of the Moravian church, of which Caroline was "deaner" for forty years. Peter died in 1879. The children of this couple were Albert, who met his death by drowning ; Moulton, now a photographer in Kan- sas ; and Valentine, an expert carriage builder, most of whose life was passed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Valentine Kleckner, son of Peter and Caro-
line Kleckner, was born in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1833. In early life he drove stage for his father on the Philadelphia route, and later adopted his father's trade. He soon became an expert in the carriage building business, sell- ing his work in English and other foreign mar- kets. He was classed with the best workmen in the country, and was known to the business for half a century. He removed from Bethlehem to Indiana, where he continued the carriage manu- facturing business for two years. He then moved back to Pennsylvania again, this time locating at Reading. It was while he was living at Reading that the Civil war broke out, and he offered him- self as a volunteer. Enlisting in the Twenty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, he served most faithfully, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. He then enlisted (October 21, 1861) in the Sixth Penn- sylvania Cavalry, Colonel Rush commanding, and was honorably discharged August 10, 1862, at Harrison's Landing, Virginia. He was not only a brave and spirited soldier, but a gifted musician, and at different times in his life was a member of various musical organizations. On returning to Bethlehem after his discharge from the army he joined the Bethlehem Band, playing the cornet. He subsequently joined the Fair View Band, and was widely known as its crack baritone soloist. When he removed to Indiana he became a mem- ber of the first band at Hope, Bartholomew county. In Reading he belonged to the famous Ringgold Band. He was widely known as a cornetist and baritone soloist. Mr. Kleckner held to his ancestral religion, and was a member of the Moravian church. He belonged also to Star of Bethlehem Castle, No. 42, K. M. C.
He was twice married, his first wife being Eliza Brunner, of Lower Saucon township. She died in 1862, leaving four children : I. Cordelia, wife of William Constable, of West Bethlehem, Pennsylvania ; 2. Albert C., of Easton, Pennsyl- vania, whose career is sketched in this article; 3. Charles H., of Allentown, Pennsylvania ; 4. Elmer, deceased. On April 5, 1864, Mr. Kleck- ner was married to Mary Hackman, of Ritters- ville. Of this marriage two children were born:
11
162
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
I. Alice, wife of Edgar S. Morrow, of East Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania; 2. Frank V., of West Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Valentine Kleck- ner died October 30, 1900; his wife survives him.
Albert C., first son and second child of Valen- tine and Eliza (Brunner) Kleckner, was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, November, 1855. He was educated in the Moravian parochial school at Bethlehem, and in early life worked at carriage painting in his father's shop. He subsequently became a fresco painter, but finally abandoned that line of work for railroading. In 1871 he entered the employ of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, where he remained for three years. The year 1874 he spent with the Reading Rail- road Company, and then became a coal brakeman on the Lehigh Valley road. A thoroughly trust- worthy and competent employee, he was pro- moted from one position to another until he was made conductor of a passenger train running be- tween Jersey City and Mauch Chunk. He is still in this situation, and has well deserved his advancement. He is a member of Niagara River Lodge No. 785, F. and A. M., and of Star Coun- cil, No. 155, Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Kleckner was married in 1874 to Isabel J. E., daughter of Jonas and Sarah Kline of Le- high county. Three sons were born of this union, -Moulton, Robert and Arthur. Moulton mar- ried Margaret Kennell, but has no children ; Rob- ert married Stella Raub, to whom four children were born, three of whom, Lillie, Stanley and Blanche, are living; Arthur married Amanda Bishop, and is the father of one child, Edith.
Isabel J. E. (Kline) Kleckner, like her hus- band, is of German descent. Her early American ancestor, Jacob Kline, was born in the Lehigh Valley, of German parents. He owned a farm of two hundred acres, and also carried on a mill- ing business. He was a member of the Lutheran church. His wife was Susan Gross, and their family consisted of the following children : Maria, Jonathan, Charles, Samuel, Joseph, Hattie, Kate, David, Hannah, Susan, and Solomon.
Jonathan, first son and second child of Jacob and Susan (Gross) Kline, was born on his father's farm in 1808. Like his father he was a
miller and farmer, and a member of the Lutheran church. His wife was Judith Fenstermacher, of . Lowhill, born in 1812. Their children were Jonas, and Lizzie J., who became Mrs. Hass. Jonas was born at the old homestead, April 5, 1832. He worked in the mill early in life, and subsequently became a contractor. In 1869 he moved to Allentown and engaged in the butcher business, which he followed for six years. He is now superintendent in the H. Leh & Company shoe factory. Mr. Kline is a member of the Lu- theran church, in which he holds the office of deacon. He married Sarah Kemmerer in 1852. The children of this marriage are as follows : Isabel J. E., now Mrs. Albert Kleckner; Sarah, Howard J., Oscar E., Minnie (deceased), Elmer and Lillie.
FRANK LAWALL, a salesman, has repre- sented the firm of Mills & Gibb, of New York city, for fourteen years, and his standing in busi- nesss circles is a credit to his energy and business promptness, and his genial manner making him popular with all with whom trade relations bring him into contact, as well as his acquaintances of social life.
Mr. Lawall is a representative of an old fam- ily of French-Huguenot origin. His paternal great-grandfather, John Michael Lawall, came to this country in the year 1749. He had a son, John Lawall, who married a Miss Bornstein and to them were born twelve children: William F., Jacob, John, David, Michael, Mary, Susan, Salina, Katherine, Matilda, Peter and Peggy. Of this number only Mary is now living.
William F. Lawall, the eldest, and the father of our subject, was born in Lower Nazareth town- ship, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and was reared upon the old family homestead, while in the common schools he acquired his edu- cation. When a young man he came to Easton, where he followed the trade of brick-making, and his excellent workmanship in this line enabled him later to be engaged in an extensive and profit- able contracting business on his own account. He took contracts for the erection of many of the large and substantial buildings here, and the
163
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
volume of his business constantly increased, mak- ing him one of the prosperous representatives of the building interests in the city. He continued in the business until 1871, when he purchased a farm in Lower Nazareth township, where he re- sided until 1876, after which he lived a retired life in Easton, until called to his final home in the year 1890. He was a man of sterling qualities, whose character was upright, and whose life was blameless. Of the Third Street Reformed church he was an acceptable member, and he was also an exemplary representative of Easton Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Ellen Horn, is still living in Easton. They became the parents of six chil- dren : Marschaund; William H .; Flora, deceased ; Edwin ; George, who has also passed away, and Frank. All were born in Easton.
Frank Lawall, whose birth occurred in 1867, was reared in Easton until 1874, when he went with the family to his father's farm, where he re- mained until thirteen years of age. His prelimi- nary education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by study in Trach's Academy in Easton, and after his school days were over he entered the dry-goods house of Geehr & Lawall, remaining there for a year and a half, during which time he gained a good knowledge of com- mercial methods and practices. He next en- tered the employ of the firm of Bush & Ball, with whom he continued for three years, and in Jan- uary, 1888, he entered into a business relation with the firm of Mills & Gibb, of New York, ex- tensive importers of lace, white goods, lace cur- tains and linens. He has represented this house for fourteen years, having given entire satisfac- tion to his employers, for whom he transacts a large amount of business annually, that makes his services of value to the firm, and of profit to himself.
On the 18th of June, 1891, Mr. Lawall was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Lerch, a daughter of Peter B. and Dorcas A. Lerch. Mrs. Lawall was born in Easton, April 4, 1867, and to this happy marriage two children have been born: Douglass P., born January 2, 1893, and Frederick F., born May 3, 1900. Mr. Lawall is
an interested and active member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Easton Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M., and Easton Chapter, No. 127, R. A. M. He is a young man of business ability, alert and enterprising, and in commercial circles has a wide and favorable acquaintance.
GEORGE J. KOEHLER. One of the active, energetic and successful business men of Easton is George J. Koehler, who is now engaged in dealing in coal and wood. A liberal patronage being accorded him, he is to-day a prosperous resident of the city, although at the outset of his business career he had no capital whatever, and was employed in various ways in order to gain a start. Such a career always awakens re- spect and admiration, showing as it does a strong character and firm purpose.
Mr. Koehler is a native of Bavaria, Germany, his birth having there occurred in 1849. He is a son of George J. and Caroline (Gundeheimer) Koehler, the former born in Saxony in 1816, the latter in Bavaria, in 1826. In the year 1850 the father brought his wife and little son to the new world, our subject being then in the second year of his age. Taking up his abode in Easton, he remained here only a brief period, and then went to Walnutport, Pennsylvania, where he purchased property and built a house. In later years he bought a farm of fifty acres, which he cultivated with pleasure and profit, providing a comfortable living for his family. In this coun- try he had learned and followed the mason's trade, but did not engage in that pursuit, giving his at- tention to various lines of business until he turned his attention to farming. To him and his wife were born five children, all born in Northampton county with the exception of our subject. The others are William, Lucy, Emma and Lizzie, and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death.
It was in Northampton county that George J. Koehler was reared, and in its public schools he acquired a good knowledge of the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. In early life he engaged in boating on the canal, assisting his father, who was engaged in that
164
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
work. Being somewhat of a mechanical trend of mind, however, he later learned the trade of a sawyer, which he followed in the employ of U. W. Stocker, becoming head sawyer, and also acting as foreman about the premises. For eight years he remained with Mr. Stocker, and in 1874 re- moved to South Easton, where he built a house, being able to become the possessor of this prop- erty as the result of his earnings and economy in former years. In South Easton he entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and soon won promotion to the position of en- gineer, in which capacity he served in a most ac- ceptable manner for six years. Then wishing to engage in business on his own account, in 1889 he purchased the coal yards of the firm of Miller & Dinkey, and has since been engaged in dealing in coal and wood, having a large sale in these com- modities. In 1903 he established a branch office at Koehler's Switch, in the west part of Easton, where he supplies the inhabitants of that district with the best grade of Lehigh valley coal.
Mr. Koehler was united in marriage to Miss Ella A. Brown, a daughter of Jonas and Maria Brown, the wedding taking place in 1868. She was born in Northampton county, in 1851, and by her marriage she has become the mother of two sons : George J. and Clinton A. The parents are members of Christ Lutheran church, in the work of which they take an active interest, and in which Mr. Koehler has served as councilman many years. In politics he is a Republican. Mat- ters pertaining to the general welfare elicit his earnest attention, and many movements calculated to prove of public benefit have gained his earnest endorsement and substantial assistance. Mr. Koehler is a self-made man who by industry and self-reliance has worked his way upward, and though the way has ofttimes been rough and rugged he has persevered, winning both success and an honored name.
JACOB RAUB belongs to that class of rep- resentative American citizens who, while pro- moting their individual prosperity, have added greatly to the substantial upbuilding, develop-
ment and welfare of the community with which they are connected. Public-spirited in an eminent degree, his labors have been of the greatest bene- fit to Easton, and his name figures conspicuously in connection with its improvement. At the same time he has carried on his private business inter- ests with such energy that he has attained a place among the most successful men of the city.
Mr. Raub is a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred at the family home on the Delaware river, north of Easton, in 1856. His father, John W, Raub, was born in 1798, and became a physician well known for his skill in healing complicated diseases and in successfully coping with the intricate prob- lems which are continually presented by disease. His profession called him to the most remote parts of his own county, and, indeed, reached far beyond its borders. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Workizer, by whom he had four children, one of whom, Sarah, is now living. For his second wife Mr. Raub chose Miss Sarah Eberhart, and they became the parents of five children, four of whom are now living, namely: Peter, Mrs. Transue, Mrs. Kutzler, and Jacob.
Jacob Raub, whose name forms the caption of this review, entered upon his business career before he had attained his majority, by serving an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. Throughout his entire life he has always been connected with building interests, and certainly one of the strong elements in his success is his persistency of purpose in the calling in which as a young tradesman he embarked. He worked as a journeyman until 1875, when he began con- tracting and building on his own account. He has been eminently successful in every phase of the builder's art, and he is a practical and scien- tific workman, and every structure which he has erected stands as a monument to his ability, skill and business worth. He has keen foresight, and looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future. This quality has en- abled him to recognize the opportunity for devel- opment and improvement, and led him to become
Jacob Mark
165
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
the main projector of the building and extension of Easton Heights. During the twenty-eight years of his business career he has erected over one thousand attractive and substantial struc- tures, including the Cottingham school, the Packer school, the Moravian and Evangelical churches, and the Easton silk mill on the south side. He has employed a large number of work- men, and justice has ever been maintained in his relations with them. He has the reputation of living fully up to the terms of a contract, and his name is an honored one in trade circles.
In public affairs in Easton, Mr. Raub has been prominent and influential, and he served continuously as a member of the city council from 1883 until 1892. During the latter portion of this period he presided over the select branch. In 1903 he is serving as a member of the board of control. In matters of citizenship he is ever found public-spirited, helpful and loyal. He has at heart the best interests of his city, and its future as well as its present development, and he is numbered among those who have pushed for- ward the wheels of progess here, and Easton ac- knowledges her indebtedness to his efforts in her behalf. Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Easton who occupies a more enviable posi- tion than Jacob Raub in commercial and financial circles, not alone on account of the brilliant suc- cess he has achieved, but also for the honorable, straightforward business policy he has ever fol- lowed. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is deter- mined in their execution, and his close applica- tion to business and excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is to-day his.
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.