USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 30
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VALENTINE KRANTZ. This well known and honored citizen of Easton, Pennsylvania, whose home is on Butler street, is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred near Worms, on the river Rhine in 1830. His parents were Philip and Catherine (Siebenwurst) Krantz, who spent their entire lives in that country, and are now deceased. In their family were three chil- dren : Jacob, Elizabeth and Valentine.
Deciding to try his fortune in the new world, Valentine Krantz came to this country when a young man, arriving in New York city on the 24th of April, 1853, after a stormy passage of thirty-four days. The following June he came to Easton, Pennsylvania, and here he has since made his home. He had learned the shoemaker's trade in a thorough manner in his native land, and was abundantly able to compete with any of his craft
on this side of the Atlantic. After establishing himself in business at Easton, his trade grew so rapidly that he was soon forced to employ six competent men as assistants, but still the demand for his work so increased that he was compelled to enlarge his establishment and employ fifteen more men. In connection with his shop he opened a store, where the finest goods in his line could be purchased. This business he profitably fol- lowed for over thirty years, having the full and complete confidence of his fellow citizens and numerous patrons.
About four years after coming to Easton, Mr. Krantz was married, in 1857, to Miss Sabina Kline, who was born at Mount Bethel in 1826, and departed this life in 1898, loved and respected by all who knew her. The Kline family is one of the oldest and most reliable of Mount Bethel. David Kline, the father of Mrs. Krantz, was also a shoemaker by trade, and was a most estimable man. He was born in Dresden, Ger- many, and emigrated to the United States. The Keifer family, to which his wife belonged, was from Leipsic, Germany, and was founded in America in 1743, their early home being at Eliza- bethport, New Jersey, where they became large landowners. Mrs. Krantz was one of a family of eleven children who reached man and woman- hood, and by her marriage she had five children, namely : Lewis C., Anna M., Garibaldi, Elmer G., and Elsworth L., deceased. The last two were twins. Anna M. is now the wife of Paul Mahn, a saddler, and has five children: Ruth S., Clarence O., Frederick V., Naomi A., and Louisa.
In 1875 Mr. Krantz built his present brick residence on Butler street, which is a substantial and commodious structure, and on the ground floor he has conducted a grocery store since 1888, having previously abandoned his trade on account of advancing years. He served his city as tax collector for seven years in a very credit- able and acceptable manner. He is one of the most honest and conscientious of men, being hon- est almost to a fault. He has a keen sense of what is right, and is fearless in its prosecution, as he loves to do right because it is right. These
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principles of his life are not wholly accidental, as he belongs to one of the noblest and best of families. A near relative of his father is Mar- gwardt Krantz, who was a member of the French cabinet during the Dreyfus trial, and by his ex- pressions of sympathy for the defendant drew the notice of the world. Our subject's father was also a cousin of Rev. John Krantz, D. D., who is general sales agent for the Methodist Book Con- cern. It will thus be seen that Mr. Krantz comes by his upright, honorable qualities very naturally, and he is justly entitled to the respect and con- fidence so freely accorded him.
ELLWOOD HAY, D. D. S., an accomplished and well-established dental practitioner of Easton, Pennsylvania, was born June 11, 1863. The Hay family has been prominent from the beginning of the history and development of the town. Its earliest representative, Melchoir Hay, came to America in 1738, and settled on the land where South Easton is now built. He helped survey and lay out the town of Easton in 1750, and was active for the colonies during the Revolution. He was of Scotch-German ancestry. His father, Malcom Hay, left Scotland for political reasons, and settled in Germany. He married a woman of that country, and three sons of this marriage emi- grated to America. Melchoir, the progenitor of the Easton branch of the family, had a son named Melchoir, and from him came Abraham Horn, Peter, George, Melchoir, Charles, and John Hay. From Charles, through Adam Lewis, is descended Ellwood Hay.
Adam Lewis Hay was a cabinet-maker, hav- ing been regularly apprenticed to the trade, which he followed during his lifetime. He was one of the most skilled mechanics in Easton, and he brought originality to his work. He was the first man in town to put inside blinds in dwelling houses. But his interests were not bounded by his trade. He held many local offices which attest his public spirit. He was a member of the Lutheran church, a Democrat in poltics, and a member of the order of Odd Fellows. In 1846 he. married Elizabeth Smith, the daughter of a fel- low-craftsman, Jacob Smith. Mr. Smith was a
native of Easton, and proficient in his trade. His wife was Elizabeth (Hartley) Smith. Adam Lewis and Elizabeth (Smith) Hay were the parents of eight children-Maria, Jacob C., Emily, Martha, Daniel (deceased), Adam Lewis (deceased), Sally, and Ellwood.
Ellwood, the yougest of this large family, at- tended school until he was thirteen years old. In 1878 he became assistant to Professor J. H. Moore, of Lafayette College. He was so valued in this position that he retained it for seven years at great personal profit through residence and as- sociation. Then, following the prompting of his inherited mechanical tastes, he entered on an ap- prenticeship in brass-working in the shops of William H. Young, and then of the Lehigh Val- ley Railroad Company. He followed the same line of work in Scranton for two years, and later was for two years under instruction in brass- working in New York. After some further time spent with the Lehigh Valley Company, he en- tered the Pennsylvania Dental College at Philadel- phia in 1892. He was graduated in 1895, and be- gan practice in his native town. He makes a spe- cialty of artificial gold work, a line for which his training has most signally fitted him. That his work is wisely chosen is shown by the large and successful practice he has built up. Mr. Hay has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and his political sympathies are with the Demo- cratic party.
He was first married, in 1886, to Miss Nettie L. Young, a daughter of Jacob Young of Phil- lipsburg. Mrs. Hay died in 1898, leaving one daughter, Blanche Villa. Mr. Hay was again married, March 6, 1902, to Miss Jennie Jones, a native of Wales, and a daughter of Morris Jones, of Bangor.
CHARLES CHIPMAN. The success which has attended the well directed efforts of Charles Chipman, founder of one of the most thriving in- dustries of Easton, Northampton county, Penn- sylvania, is the result of practical business knowl- edge, careful management, keen foresight, and strict integrity, these qualities being exercised in all his business transactions .:
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
Mr. Chipman is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and edu- cated. At the age of eighteen years, when his country was threatened with disruption and dis- honor, he was fired with the true patriotic spirit that prompts the bestowal of the best gifts, and, inasmuch as there is no greater gift or sacrifice than self, Mr. Chipman willingly devoted his life to his country. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, served three years, was wounded once, and for meritorious conduct in battle was pro- moted to the rank of first sergeant, which posi- tion he occupied at the time of his honorable dis- charge. After the close of the war he engaged in the express business, his route lying between Philadelphia and Frankford, Pennsylvania, but after a short period of time he discontinued this industry on account of disease breaking out among his horses. He then entered the employ of a wholesale and retail paint firm on Market street, Philadelphia, as a teamster, and his up- right deportment and strict attention to business won his promotion to the position of shipping clerk and finally advanced to that of manager. Upon the dissolution of the firm he was admitted as a silent partner by William Evans, and after the lapse of two years Mr. Chipman and the book-keeper of the firm, Eugene Nice, formed a partnership under the firm name of Chipman & Nice, and up to the year 1884 conducted business at the corner of Second and Union streets, Phila- delphia. Mr. Chipman then inaugurated a ho- siery business at Germantown, a suburb of Phila- delphia, with a force of about one hundred and twenty employees. In 1887 Frank L. Chipman, son of Charles Chipman, became a member of the firm, and in 1890 the establishment was removed to Easton, Pennsylvania, and is now one of the main supports of that city. In 1893, Charles Chipman retired from business, and his other
son, W. E. Chipman, became a partner with his brother, Frank L. Chipman. The sons grew up in the hosiery industry and are perfectly conver- sant with all the details of the trade, and, under their thoughtful and progressive management, they are extending its business and capacity daily.
The firm is known as Charles Chipman Sons Hosiery Mills, and their plant, which gives em- ployment to six hundred hands, is equipped with a five hundred horse power engine. The business has increased six hundred per cent. during the years that have intervened between 1884 and the present time (1903).
Mr. Chipman was united in marriage to Mary Vanartsdalan, and their children were: I. Frank L., who was united in marriage to Amelia Jones, whose maternal grandfather brought the first knitting machine from England to America; Aaron Jones, father of Mrs. Frank L. Chipman, was a member of the firm of Aaron Jones's Sons, manufacturers of fancy knit goods and hosiery. Mr. and Mrs. Chipman are the parents of two children, Charles and Ada Chipman. 2. Lillian. 3. W. E., who was united in marriage to Louisa Sniffen, of New York City, to whom one child was born, John S. Chipman. 4. Harriet V. 5. An infant, now deceased. Charles Chipman, father of these children, is at present ( 1903) a resident of Germantown, where he is much respected for his sterling qualities. Mr. Chipman and his two sons are honored members of the Masonic fra- ternity. Mr. Chipman and his son, Frank L. Chipman, are both members of Stephen Girard Blue Lodge, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Oriental Chapter, and Dadast Commandery. W. E. Chip- man is a member of Stephen Girard Blue Lodge, No. 450; Easton Chapter, No. 137, and Hugh De Payen Commandery, No. 19.
JACOB H. MUTCHLER is a descendant of one of the old and well knwn families of the Le- high Valley, its progenitors having been John and Valentine Mutchler, brothers, natives of Ger- many, who emigrated to the United States in 1752. They located in Warren county, New Jer- sey, on what was known as Marble Hill, but that vicinity at the present time (1903), is known as the "Mellick Farm."
Valentine Mutchler, the progenitor of the branch of the family to which Jacob H. Mutchler belongs, was an upright, conscientious man, and during his active career followed the occupations of stone mason and farmer. He married Caro-
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
line Stonebach, and the issue of this marriage was several children, all of whom were born in War- ren county, New Jersey. This worthy couple were the ancestors of a numerous and respected line of descendants who became active and loyal citizens.
Valentine Mutchler, son of Valentine and Car- oline (Stonebach) Mutchler, followed the ex- ample of his father and during his early life served an apprenticeship in learning the stone mason trade, and pursued this line of industry in connection with farming a large tract of land which he owned in Warren county, New Jersey. Valentine Mutchler and his wife were the parents of the following named children : John, Samuel, Mary, George W., and Elizabeth Mutchler.
John Mutchler, eldest son of Valentine Mutch- ler, and grandfather of Jacob H. Mutchler, was born in Warren county, New Jersey in 1792, and like his father and grandfather followed the oc- cupation of stone mason in addition to agricul- tural pursuits. He removed from New Jersey, in 1824, locating at Chain Dam, Pennsylvania, where he was an active and prominent factor in the industrial and social interests of the com- munity. He was a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. John Mutchler and his wife, Margaret (Mellick) Mutchler, born in 1798, were the parents of eleven children, all of whom were born in New Jersey, namely : George, Henry M., Val- entine, Ellen, Jacob, Jane, John, William, James, Godfrey, and an unnamed infant. Valentine Mutchler, the third son of John and Margaret Mutchler, was born in 1824, married Mary Brotz- man, and after her decease married Susanna Knoble, of Williams township, Northampton county, who bore him nine children ; he had one child, who survived, by his former wife. Valen- tine Mutchler was colonel of a regiment of mili- tia, held many local offices, and was a man of influence and prominence in the community. John Mutchler, father of these children, died October 4, 1838, survived by his wife, whose death oc- curred in the year 1863.
George Mutchler, eldest son of John and Margaret (Mellick) Mutchler, and father of Jacob H. Mutchler, was born in the state of New
Jersey in 1818. After attaining man's estate he chose the vocation of farming, and his entire business career was characterized by the utmost honesty and integrity. He married Christiana Heil, who was born in Mount Bethel, in 1824, and five children were the issue of this union, four of whom are living at the present time (1903) : John and Jacob H., twins, born in 1852; John is now engaged in the capacity of city clerk of Eas- ton. W. A., born in 1855 ; Mrs. R. A. Middaugh, born in 1847.
Jacob H. Mutchler, son of George and Chris- tiana (Heil) Mutchler, is one of the represen- tative and highly respected citizens of Easton, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. He is an expert machinist by trade, having followed this occupation since he was seventeen years of age. He is a member of Dallas Lodge, No. 396, Free and Accepted Masons; also a member of Lehic- ton Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
DANIEL ZEHNDER. Among the business
i men of Easton, Pennsylvania, who have achieved financial success through their own indomitable energy, great enterprise and executive ability, may be mentioned the name of Daniel Zehnder, a na- tive of South Side, Easton, his birth having oc- curred there July 1, 1859.
Anthony Zehnder, father of Daniel Zehnder, was a native of Switzerland, from which coun- try he emigrated to the United States, accom- panied by his wife, Sophia (Axley) Zehnder, also a native of Switzerland, in 1853. They lo- cated in South Easton, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Zehnder, being a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability, cap- able and willing to perform any kind of honest service, pusued various vocations in which he was eminently successful. Eleven children, all of whom were born in South Easton, Pennsylvania, were the issue of their marriage, and of this num- ber five are living at the present time (1903)- Thomas, Rose, Pauline, Caroline, and Daniel Zehnder. Anthony Zehnder, father of these chil- dren, died at his home in South Easton, in 1886, survived by his wife, who is living at the present time.
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
The public schools of the city of Easton, Penn- sylvania, afforded Daniel Zehnder a good English education. Early in life he learned the trade of stone mason, but shortly afterward abandoned this for a more steady but less lucrative business. During the panic of 1875 and 1876 he was em- ployed in a blast furnace at Chain Dam, the re- muneration being seventy-two cents per day of twelve hours work. When the opportunity of- fered he accepted a position in the Barb Wire Works, and when that corporation moved its plant trom Easton to Allentown Mr. Zehnder changed his place of residence to that town, and for seven years faithfully and conscientiously per- formed the duties of the position. In 1888 he returned to Easton and began the manufacture of brick, the clay used in the construction of the bricks being found on his own property. His brick-yards are situated on the Philadelphia road, where for the past fifteen years he has man- ufactured the best quality of air dried building brick. His plant has a capacity of eighteen thousand bricks per day, gives employment to forty-two hands, and is equipped with a fifty- horse-power engine. He is one of the most extensive brick manufacturers in the locality, and therefore enjoys a large and lucrative trade.
Mr. Zehnder has been twice married, his first wife having been Mary (Staser) Zehnder, to whom two children were born, one of whom Charles Zehnder, is living at the present time (1903). For his second wife Mr. Zehnder chose Rachel Woolback, the ceremony being performed in 1894. To this union there has been no issue.
AMANDUS SAMPSON. The business career of Amandus Sampson, an honored and re- spected resident of Cederville, Easton, Pennsyl- vania, has been wholly devoted to mining inter- ests in the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey, and has been characterized by the strictest integrity in all transactions. He was born in Williams township, Pennsylvania, in 1851, the son of Joseph, a native of England, who emigrated to the United States, in 1850, and Susan (Brotzman) Sampson, a native of North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, whose family con-
sisted of seven children, all of whom are living at the present time ( 1903).
Amandus Sampson attended the public schools of Williams township, and obtained a practical education which qualified him for the duties and obligations which fall to the lot of every man. He began his business career by en- gaging in mining pursuits in the states of Pennsylvania and Virginia, spending several years in the latter named state in the oversight of his mines. He is the owner of a manganese mine in New Jersey, and also the owner and oper- ator of a mine in Williams township, situated south of Easton, on the Philadelphia road. This mine was opened and operated by the Glendon Company at a very early date, possibly as far back as 1840. The property was then owned by John Best, subsequently fell into the hands of Adam Hahn, and later was owned and operated by Joseph Sampson, father of Amandus Sampson, who located in Williams township, after his ar- rival in this country from England, and pur- chased a one hundred acre tract of land on which was located the mines in question. During the ownership of Joseph Sampson the mines were in a flourishing condition, but the output was lim- ited owing to the crude facilities for operating them. Joseph Sampson acquired a handsome competence from this enterprise, which he con- ducted up to the time of his decease, which oc- curred in 1877.
During the year 1903, under the competent management of Amandus Sampson, the present owner of the mine, the output is two thousand six hundred tons per month. He is mining at a depth of three hundred feet, has two shafts, and gives employment to twenty-five men, but this number is only one-half the force necessary to run the mines to their fullest capacity. In connection with his mine there is a large deposit of umber, which he disposes of to C. K. Williams & Co., a large paint firm in Easton, Pennsylvania. In the commercial world Mr. Sampson's name is syn- onymous with enterprise, integrity and fair deal- ing. He has been honored with several township offices, the duties of which he performed with credit and distinction.
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
Mr. Sampson was united in marriage to Eliza Slack, and four children were born to them, three of whom are living-Joseph R., employed as a machinist in the Washington Navy Yard; Ger- trude A., wife of Archibald C. Pasco, an enter- prising and successful mechanic; and Lillie P. Sampson, wife of Fred Christine. In 1886 Mr. Sampson married, for his second wife, Annie A. Stocker, and the issue of this union was one daughter, Florence M. Sampson.
JACOB W. RICKER, a prominent con- tractor, carpenter and builder of Easton, and one of the progressive men of the city, is descended from a prominent old family which had its origin in Holland. 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. William Ricker, one of his sons, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, and became a carpenter by trade. He married Catherine Operheimer, and to them were born seven children, one of whom, Eva Catherine, is still living. 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.
Captain John P. Ricker, one of the eleven chil- dren and a highly respected citizen of Easton, was born in this city on the 3d of September, 1824, and like his ancestors learned the carpenter and builder's trade, at which he labored during the most of his life, meeting with well merited success. When the Civil war was inaugurated he loyally espoused the cause of the Union, and organized a company which became known as Company E of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and of which he was commissioned captain. He took part in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg,
and was wounded and taken prisoner in the lat- ter engagement, but after several days of hard fighting he was recaptured by his own troops. After a nine months' service the Captain was hon- orably 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 member of the school board. He married Miss Rebecca Burt, who was born in Easton in 1829, and died there in 1895. The following children were born to them : Jacob W., Burt, deceased; Samuel A .; Thomas P .; Howard L .; and Oscar A.
J. W. Ricker, the immediate subject of this review, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of July, 1850. Choosing the life occupation of his ancestors he learned the carpenter's trade, having worked as a journeyman at the bench until 1883, when he launched out on his own account as a contractor, and many of the fine buildings of the locality testify to his skill in his calling and stand as monuments to his genius and ability. Mr. Ricker holds a prominent position in both the business and social circles of the city, and in his fraternal relations is a member of Easton Lodge, No. 152, F. & A. M., also of Chapter No. 73, and Council No. 20. In this noble order he has attained to the Knighthood degrees, holding membership in Hugh De Payen Commandery No. 19.
The marriage of Mr. Ricker was celebrated in 1891, when Miss Emma, the daughter of Phalon Klotz, became his wife. They reside in a pleasant residence in Easton, and both Mr. and Mrs. Ricker are highly regarded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who appreciate their sterling worth and many excellencies of character.
MAURICE CLEMENS, captain of Company I of the Thirteenth Regiment of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, and a musician of Easton, was born in that city, December 17, 1865. He is a son of James Breckenridge and Susan Burk (Wagener) Clemens. His paternal grandparents
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were James Wolfe and Eleanor (Sherrard) Clem- ens. His ancestry in the maternal line can be traced back to David Wagener, who was born in Silesia, Germany, on the 24th of May, 1736. He became a resident of Worcester township, Phila- delphia county, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1741, and afterward removed to Northampton county. He was appointed associate justice of the North- ampton courts in 1791, and served until his death, which occurred at Easton on the 9th of May, 1796. He was a Lutheran in religious faith. His wife, Susannah Umsted, was born on the 2d of February, 1734, and died April 22, 1819, in Easton.
Daniel Wagener, son of David and Susannah Wagener, was born in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, near Doylestown, in the year 1766, and in 1777 became a resident of Easton. The Revolu- tionary war was then in progress, and Pennsyl- vania was the scene of many contests between the opposing armies. Daniel Wagener became a prominent citizen of Easton, and was identified with many interests of the town and county. He built the large merchant mill on the east side of Bushkill creek in 1792, and his father had built the mill on the opposite side of the creek in 1780. Daniel Wagener engaged in milling and merchandising for a number of years, and also took an active part in public affairs, serving for thirty-nine years as associate justice of North- ampton county. He died in 1842, at the venerable age of seventy-seven years, leaving three sons and two daughters, to whom he bequeathed a handsome estate accumulated through his indi- vidual energy and careful management. He was married on the 13th of April, 1785, to Eve Opp.
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