USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 29
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
Mr. Raub was united in marriage to Miss Arevesta A. Arner, in 1876. The lady is a daughter of Reuben Arner, and to them have been born twelve children, nine of whom are yet living, as follows: Arthur L., Howard F., Reuben S., Sarah, Gertrude, Ada, Arevesta A., Jacob Jr., and John W. Of this number, Arthur married Mrs. Blencowe, to whom two children were born- John J., and a daughter.
ALLEN E. STRAUP, one of the progressive young business men of Easton, proprietor of a grocery store on the south side, is descended from one of the old families of the Lehigh Val- ley. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his entire life and reared his family. His son, Thomas Straup, was also there and con- tinued to make it his home. In early life he learned the blacksmith's trade, and became a good mechanic, but afterward took up the study of medicine and engaged in its practice. He was a man of worth and ability, and a most patriotic and loyal citizen. On attaining man's estate he married Matilda Seigfried, also a native of Northampton county, and to them were born fourteen children, thirteen of whom grew to ma- turity, and six of the number are still living. The family have long been earnest members of the Evangelical church, in which the grandfather of our subject held several offices. His wife is still living and resides in Northampton county.
Thomas P. Straup, our subject's father, was born in that county, January 10, 1847. He learned the painter's trade, and has also engaged in black- smithing, but is now holding a position in the Ingorsoll shops at Easton. On the Ist of Oc- tober, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Elmira E. Seibert, of Meyerstown, Pennsylvania, who died January 14, 1903. She left two sons : Arthur N., born January 11, 1871 ; and Allen E., born January 10, 1874. Arthur was born in i'ar- ryville and Allen at Coaldale, but they were reared and educated in Easton, to which place their parents had removed.
During his youth, Allen E. Straup learned the trade of wood carving, which he followed for a number of years, and later turned his attention to the electrical business for some time. In 1898 he led to the marriage altar Miss Ella M. Stein, the accomplished daughter of Asher and Rebecca (Miller) Stein. Her father was born in South Easton, in 1857, and is a son of Samuel and Orelia (Paull) Stein, both natives of Mount Bethel. They had six children, all of whom are living. Samuel Stein was an engineer on the
I66
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
Lehigh Valley Railroad for some years, but died young. His father was John Stein, of Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, and his wife's father was Jacob Paull, whose family num- bered nine children, six of whom are living. The Paulls were millers by trade. Asher Stein, the father of Mrs. Straup, was in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad for eighteen years, being conductor for sixteen years. Retiring from the road in 1898, he opened a grocery store in Easton, which he conducted until 1902, when he sold out to his son-in-law, the subject of this sketch. He married Rebecca Miller, who was born in Williams township, Northampton county, in 1847, and to them was born one daughter, Mrs. Ella M. Straup. Mr. Stein is an active member of the United Evangelical church and has been honored with numerous church offices. He is also a member of the Knights of Labor and Knights of Friendship, and is a man highly re- spected and esteemed by all who know him. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.
In 1902, as previously stated, Mr. Straup pur- chased of his father-in-law the grocery store owned by him, together with the fixtures and his good will, though Mr. Stein still assists in carry- ing on the business which is quite extensive. The store is large and the stock is well selected. Mr. Straup is a very energetic and enterprising busi- ness man, and his success has been worthily achieved. He and his wife are leading members of the United Evangelical church, in which he is serving as a class leader and chorister in the Sunday school, and they are held in high regard by all who know them. Socially he is connected with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and Patriotic Sons of America.
WILLIAM B. BOYER, a veteran of the Civil war, and an engineer on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, makes his home in Easton, where he has now resided for thirty-one years. He was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1844, a son of David and Hannah (Beck) Boyer, the former a native of Schuylkill county, and the latter of Carbon county, this state. The father was a gunsmith by trade, and for a number
of years followed that vocation exclusively, but in later years he lived on a farm which he pur- chased, and gave his attention to its cultivation. He was a leading citizen of his community, and at one time held the office of councilman. Both he and his wife held membership in the Lutheran church, and he served as one of its deacons, and took a helpful part in its work. He died in 1884, and Mrs. Boyer passed away in 1890. Their family numbered nine children, seven of whom are yet living: Joseph, Lawrence, Mrs. Violetta Schock, Mrs. Matilda Elliard, George B., Will- iam B. and Annie M. Gerber.
Under the parental roof William B. Boyer spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and in the public schools of his native county he ac- quired his education. He afterward learned the millwright's trade, beginning in 1859, and he followed that pursuit until after the beginning of the Civil war, when on the 17th of September, 1862, aroused by a spirit of patriotism, he en- listed in Company F, Seventeenth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry. He was constantly with his command during its campaigns, and with the regiment was honorably discharged. In July, 1863, he again enlisted, this time becoming a member of Company B, Thirty-ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, for ninety days. This was an emergency regiment, and while not en- gaged in any decisive battle was yet active in sus- taining the Union cause. In August, 1863, Mr. Boyer was again discharged.
Upon his return to civil life he once more resumed work at his trade, and in 1865 he became an employe of the Schuylkill Navigation Com- pany. In 1869 he entered the employ of the Reading Railroad Company, and in 1872, remov- ing to Easton, he became connected with the Le- high Valley Railroad Company as a fireman, from which position he was promoted to that of en- gineer in 1876, and is now running between Eas- ton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. On the 8th of June, 1875, Mr. Boyer was fireman for Engineer Paul Reed, on engine 13, hauling the first passenger train run on the Easton & Amboy branch of the road. His first trip as an engineer was made September 17, 1876, on a run from
167
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
Easton to Wilkes-Barre. In 1889 he was in a wreck in which two lives were lost, but in which he was altogether innocent of negligence. He is recognized by the company as a most careful and painstaking engineer, and one well worthy the ar- duous and responsible position which he is now capably filling.
Mr. Boyer was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Page Lodge, No. 270, F. and A. M., and he is also a member of the Broth- erhood of Locomotive Engineers, and McLean Post, No. 576, G. A. R. On the Ist of January, 1864, he was married to Miss Martha A. Yeager, a daughter of Barnett and Hannah Yeager. The Yeagers are of an old and well known family of this part of the state. Mrs. Boyer is a native of Pennsylvania, born December 27, 1843. By her marriage she has become the mother of the fol- lowing named: Hannah L., Robert, Francis, Charles, Harry, David, Mamie, Oscar, Lillian, Edward and George. Harry is now foreman of the shops of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Com- pany, at Sayre, Pennsylvania, and Charles, a graduate of the Jefferson College of Medicine, at Philadelphia, is now practicing his profession. Mr. Boyer built his home in 1889,-a beautiful brick structure, which stands as a monument to his labor, for it was built with his own honest earnings and it is supplied with all modern im- provements. Mr. Boyer belongs to the Lutheran church, his wife to the Reformed church, and both are consistent christian people.
THOMAS P. RICKER, who is so efficiently serving as chief of the Easton fire department, and is one of the most popular men of that thriv- ing city, belongs to an old and highly respected family which had its origin in Holland. Far back in the early history of the Lehigh Valley a poor but honest stone mason emigrated to this country from Holland, in the time of George III, but little is known of him. One of his sons, William Ricker, was born in Easton, Pennsyl- vania, and became a carpenter by trade. He mar- ried Catherine Operheimer, and to them were born seven children, one of whom, Eva Cath- erine, is still living in 1903. One of their sons,
Jacob Ricker, was born in Easton on the Ist of May, 1801, and also made carpentering and build- ing his life work. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Carey, was also a native of Easton and a granddaughter of Captain John Carey, who served with distinction as an officer in the Revolutionary war. The family of Jacob and Elizabeth (Carey) Ricker consisted of eleven children, six of whom are living at the present writing, in 1903.
Of this number Captain John P. Ricker, a much respected citizen of Easton, was born in that city, September 3, 1824, and like his ances- tors learned the carpenter's and builder's trade, at which he has labored the most of his life with well merited success. When the country was in imminent danger from the seceders in the south, he manfully took up arms in defense of the Union, and organized a company which became Company E of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and of which he was commissioned captain. He took part in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettys- burg, and was wounded and taken prisoner in the latter engagement, but after several days of hard fighting he was recaptured by his own troops. After serving for nine months Captain Ricker was honorably discharged and returned home to resume the more quiet pursuits of civil life, continuing to work at his trade until old age compelled him to desist. He is still an honored resident of Easton, where he has held the office of city councilman and served one term as a mem- ber of the school board. He married Miss Re- becca Burt, who was born in Easton in 1829, and died there in 1895. Their children were Jacob; Burt, deceased; Samuel A., Thomas P., Howard L., and Oscar A.
Thomas P. Ricker, whose name introduces this review, was born in Easton on the 14th of October, 1857, and there grew to manhood, his education being obtained in the city schools. He, too, learned the carpenter's trade, which he con- tinued to follow until 1891, when he was elected chief of the fire department, for which office he seems eminently fitted, being not only brave and fearless but careful and painstaking as well. In
168
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
1895 he resigned that position and resumed work at his trade, carrying on contracting and building until 1899, when he was again elected chief of the fire department, and is still filling that office in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. He has been a member of the fire department since its organization, and has worked his way upward from hoseman to his present responsible position. He was a member of the city council in 1898, but was obliged to resign that position to take his present one.
In September, 1885, Mr. Ricker was united in marriage to Miss Anna Herman, a daughter of Charles and Christian Herman, of Easton, and to them has been born one son, Burt, who is now attending school. Fraternally, Mr. Ricker is a member of General Kirkpatrick Camp, No. 233, Sons of Veterans; Saranac Tribe, No. 84, Im- proved Order of Red Men; and the Firemen's Relief Association. He is one of the representa- tive citizens of the Lehigh Valley, and is justly deserving of prominent mention in its history.
GEORGE F. COFFIN, a well known attor- ney and Republican leader of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, now practicing at the Easton bar as a member of the law firm of Reeder & Coffin, was born at Slatedale, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1870. He was the third of four children born of the marriage of Frank Handwerk and Catherine Coffin, the latter being the daughter of Ira and Catherine (Miller) Coffin, and a granddaughter of John Coffin, of Vermont.
When a young man, Ira Coffin went to Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and was the first man in this country to engage in the manufacture of school slates. He followed that business through- out his active career, and thus developed an in- dustry which has become a most important one in trade circles. Frank Handwerk, father of George F. Coffin, was engaged in business in Pennsyl- vania, and was also connected with the develop- ment of the slate fields. He enlisted as a private during the Civil war, serving in Company E, One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Potomac. He
was wounded at the battle of Antietam, and died from the effects of his injury in 1873. The fol- lowing named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Handwerk: Magdelena, who died at the age of fifteen years; Ira E., George F., and Della, the wife of John Graver. After the death of Mr. Handwerk, the mother of these children became ·the wife of John Beltz, by whom she has two children : Ellsworth and Francis Beltz.
After the death of his father, George F. was adopted by his uncle, James H. Coffin, and took his name. Until the age of fifteen years he at- tended the public schools of Lehigh township, from fifteen to nineteen years of age he followed the occupation of a clerk in a general store, also in Lehigh township, and the following year he taught the public school in the same township. He entered Lafayette College as a student in the classical course in 1890, and graduated with his class in 1894. He then studied law in the office and under the direction of General Frank Reeder, beginning in 1893, and in 1896 was admitted to the bar. He practiced his profession alone until January I, 1901, when he entered into a part- nership with his former preceptor, establishing the present firm of Reeder & Coffin. They have a large clientage connecting them with much of the most important litigation tried in the courts of this district, and are closely identified with the current industries of the county.
Mr. Coffin was one of the incorporators and officers of the Lehigh Bridge Company, which erected a bridge across the Lehigh river at Easton. He is secretary of the Nazareth Cement Company, operating at Nazareth, Pennsylvania, is secretary of the Ogdensburg Gas Company, the Ogdensburg Street Railway Company, and the Ogdensburg Power and Light Company, the three latter companies operating at Ogdensburg, New York. He is also a director in the National Portland Cement Company, operating at Martins Creek, Pennsylvania. Mr. Coffin is a recognized leader in Republican circles in Northampton county, and from 1897 to 1901 served as chairman of the Republican county central committee. He was also chairman of the city central committee of Easton from 1898 until 1901. On July 3,
Mo. F. Leoffers
169
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
1898, he was appointed referee in bankruptcy, which position he is still filling. He holds mem- bership in the Mckinley Club, the Pomfret and Northampton Country Clubs.
On June 9, 1897, Mr. Coffin was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Reese, daughter of Jacob and Maria (Reichard) Reese. Two chil- dren were born of this union : Anna Frances, who died in infancy ; and George F., Jr., born May 20, 1903.
EDWARD DEITRICH, the veteran milk- dealer of Easton, Pennsylvania, is of German descent, his paternal grandfather, Jacob Deitrich, having been a native of Germany, whence he emi- grated to the United States in the early history of the Lehigh Valley. Choosing Northampton county, Pennsylvania, as his home, he settled in what was afterward known as Forks township, though the name was subsequently changed to Chestnut Hill. Being a miller by trade, he pur- chased a small farm and erected thereon a mill, which he continued to conduct throughout the remainder of his life. He married Betsey Arndt, a native of Northampton county. During her girl- hood it was the custom to bind out orphan chil- dren, and she was one of these who was homeless and bereft of parents but of respectable descent. The gentleman with whom she lived and whose name she bore was a pronounced Tory, and took an active part against the colonial cause at the time of the Revolutionary war. This thoroughly aroused the ire of Betsey, whose young heart was with General Washington and his cherished wish -that of the independence of the colonies. To Jacob and Betsey Deitrich were born the follow- ing children : Benjamin, Joseph, Stephen, Sally, Polly A., Katy M. and Betsey.
Benjamin Deitrich, our subject's father, was born in Forks township in 1801. He owned a small farm of forty-five acres, which he managed with skill and profit, and he eventu- ally became quite a prominent man in his com- munity. He married Miss Anna M. Lerch, who was also a native of Forks township, born on Chestnut Hill, and died in 1806. They were active and consistent members of St. John's
Lutheran church, in which Mr. Deitrich served as deacon and elder at different times. The fam- ily of this worthy couple consisted of nine chil- dren, those still living being Edward, who was born in 1832; Charles, in 1843; Jeremiah, in 1845; Noah, in 1847; Stephen, in 1849; and Emma, in 1857. The last named is now the wife of Samuel Wetz, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
The early life of Edward Deitrich was passed in a very useful but uneventful manner. He began dealing in milk when only twelve years old, and he continued to engage in that business up to the present time with profit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his numerous customers. He has an extensive route, and now handles about seventy-five gallons per day. For almost sixty years he has furnished milk to the families of Easton, and he is not only widely known but has the respect and confidence of the entire com- munity, as he is strictly honorable in all his deals and only handles the best milk.
Mr. Deitrich was married in 1853, the lady of his choice being Miss Susanna Walters, a daughter of William and Betsey Walters. She too was born on Chestnut Hill, in 1837, and died at the same place in 1899. The only child born of this union was Anna M., who is now the wife of J. W. Flad, and has two children, Edward D. and Earl L.
Mr. Deitrich is a worthy member of Easton Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M .; Easton Chapter, No. 137, R. A. M. ; and Hugh De Payens Com- mandery, No. 19, K. T. He has been honored with election to the city council, and in whatever position he has been placed he has always been found true to every trust reposed in him, whether public or private.
G. E. H. WESTMORELAND, M. G. M. E. This gentleman, although a young man, has had large experience in the art of massage treatment, and has gained a prominent position in his pro- fession. He was born in Geneva, Ohio, in 1869, and is a son of Silas and Olivia (Curtiss) West- moreland, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was a worthy man and an intelligent citizen. He possessed mechanical ability, and be-
170
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
came a mining engineer, which vocation he al- ways followed as a means of livelihood. He is now deceased, but is still survived by his widow. Their family numbered four children, three of whom are yet living, namely : Jennie, James, and Dr. G. E. H. Westmoreland.
In his native town Dr. Westmoreland spent his boyhood days and acquired a liberal educa- tion under private tutors, thus continuing his studies until 1882. In that year he went abroad to perfect his education and to gain a more com- prehensive knowledge of his chosen profession. He studied in Vienna, Dresden and Saxony, and also remained for eighteen months in Paris, and for four years in Stockholm, Sweden, as a stu- dent in the Royal Central Institute. After his graduation he traveled extensively, observing and comparing the different methods of massage prac- ticed in the various countries that he visited, and storing away in the resources of his mind for future use the knowledge which he obtained con- cerning the best and most advanced scientific methods of treatment. He is well versed in the skill of treatment which he presents, and he has a large and constantly increasing patronage. In 1892 he returned to his native country, locating in Philadelphia, where he practiced his profes- sion continually until 1901, when he removed to Easton, where he is now enjoying a lucrative business that is constantly growing.
In 1892 Dr. Westmoreland was united in marriage to Miss Ulla Lundgren; a daughter of Carl A. Lundgren, of Sweden. The lady was born in that country in 1869, and she, too, is a noted practitioner in massage, and electric treat- ment, and is associated with the prominent osteopathists of Philadelphia. Dr. Westmore- land employs two assistants in his office, where many patients are treated daily, a fact which shows the favor in which his methods of practice are held.
R. C. BEIDELMAN. "Squire" Beidelman, as he is familiarly called, belongs to an old and much respected family who trace their ancestry back to Germany, but they have proved ever loyal and faithful to their adopted country, becoming
true American citizens in the best sense of that term. Our subject's great-grandfather, Samuel Beidelman, was born in Germany, and came to the new world at an early date in the history of the Lehigh Valley. Here he married Elizabeth Hess, a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born several children who be- came worthy citizens and prosperous agricultur- ists in and adjacent to the Lehigh Valley.
One of the number, Abraham Beidelman, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Odenwildertown on the 26th of November, 1772, and became a wealthy farmer, owning and oper- ating a fine place of two hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. He was an expert agriculturist and a man of influence in his community. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Shireman, was a native of Forks township, Northampton county. Of their ten children eight reached manhood and womanhood, namely : John, Jonathan, Daniel, Abraham, Susan, Lydia, Margaret and Catherine. The father of this family died in 1860, and the mother departed this life in 1864.
Daniel Beidelman, the third in order of birth in the above family, and the father of our subject, was born on the 13th of April, 1812, in Forks township, and became a well known and much respected citizen of Northampton county. He took quite an active part in local politics, and faithfully served his county as a commissioner as well as in other important offices. His political support was always given the Democratic party and he adhered firmly to its principles. He was a good, practical farmer, and operated two farms with much success. In early manhood he mar- ried Miss Anna M. Christman, who was born in Lower Saucon, December II, 18II, and died De- cember 23, 1869. Their family consisted of three sons : William, who was a distinguished member of the Northampton county bar, and is now de- ceased ; A. C., a prominent physician ; and R. C., of this review.
R. C. Beidelman was born in Williams town- ship, Northampton county, January 25, 1838, and there he passed his boyhood and youth, attending the common schools of his native township, and
I71
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
later a select school at Easton. For a number of years he followed the free and independent life of a farmer, but finally abandoned it for a position as clerk in the freight office of the Lehigh Val- ley Railroad, which position he acceptably filled for twenty-three years.
On the 15th of September, 1864, Mr. Beidel- man was married to Miss Ellen J. Reigel, whose birth occurrred in Bath, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1840, and whose parents were Daniel and Han- nah Reigel. Our subject and his wife have three children : Jennie M., who is now assistant head nurse at the Germantown hospital; William H., who is in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road Company ; and Clara E.
Mr. and Mrs. Beidelman are members of St. Paul's church, and are held in high regard by all who know them. He has been called upon to fill several offices of trust and responsibility, the du- ties of which he most capably and satisfactorily discharged. For five years he was a member of the school board in Williams township, and for twenty-five out of the thirty years he has spent in the borough and city of Easton he has been justice of the peace. Being a man of good judg- ment and sound common sense he is well qualified to fill such a position, and his administration has been above reproach.
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.