USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 33
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
Stephen Cornell (3), son of Thomas (2) and Sarah (Earl) Cornell, was born in 1656, at Ports- mouth, Rhode Island, was admitted a freeman in 1688. He married Hannah Moshier, and was the father of a son, Stephen (4) who married, June 18, 1719, Ruth Pierce, and died about 1765. His son, Elijah (5) married Sarah, born January 19, 1746, in Rhode Island, daugher of Benjamin and Mehitabel Miller. The marriage took place De- cember 4, 1769, and their son, Elijah (6), was born October 17, 1771, and moved to Ithaca, New York, where he carried on the pottery business. In September, 1798, he was received into the So- ciety of Friends at the Swansea monthly meet- ing. He married, July 4, 1805, Eunice Barnard, born May II, 1788. Her death occurred March
23, 1857, and her husband expired March 27, 1862, in the ninety-first year of his age. Their son, Elijah (7), was born April 11, 1808, at De Ruyter, Madison county, New York, and married, December 15, 1831, Betsey Ann Berdick. Their children were: Marion E., born May 17, 1833; Nelson Perez, mentioned at length herein- after ; Marie, born September 27, 1836, married Jerome M. Squire; and William, born July 3, 1838, married Elizabeth Moore, of Easton, Pennsylvania.
Nelson Perez Cornell (8), son of Elijah (7) and Betsey Ann (Berdick) Cornell, was born November 23, 1834, at Ithaca, New York, where he received his education in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he began life for himself, being employed as a messenger boy by the Hon. Ezra Cornell, the founder of Cornell University, and, a few years later, took the position of as- sistant postmaster at Enfield, New York. At the end of three years he returned to Ithaca, where he was employed as clerk in a grocery store, and when his employers moved their business to Mc ristown, New Jersey, a few years later, he accom- panied them. Five years after, in the year 1855, he was sent by the firm to take charge of a branch store which they had established at Eas- ton, Pennsylvania, and which had not succeeded under the management of an agent. In the hands of Mr. Cornell the enterprise soon became pros- perous, and after conducting it successfully for a number of years the firm made him the offer of an interest in the business. This offer he ac- cepted, and was fully justified by the results in having done so, but after several years, thinking that an out-door life would be more satisfactory to him, he took a position with the late James D. Mingle, to construct a network of telegraph lines, connecting New York, Philadelphia, Reading, Mauch Chunk and Wilkes-Barre. After com- pleting this undertaking he returned to the gro- cery business, forming a copartnership with the late A. Keller Michler, under the firm name of Cornell & Michler. This copartnership was formed in 1857 and continued until November, 1900, when it was dissolved by the death of Mr. Michler. The business,. however, is still con-
190
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
ducted by Mr. Cornell under the old firm name, its prestige, acquired during the long period of co- partnership, rendering a change of name unde- sirable. This firm was the first to use electricity for business purposes, putting in their store a twenty-five light dynamo which was run by a water-motor. Later, in connection with Howard Rineck, of Easton, Mr. Cornell as instrumental in forming a company to furnish light and power to the citizens of that place. Notwithstanding many discouragements and repeated objections based on the ground that the enterprise would not pay for itself, they were successful not only in forming a company but in building a plant which was con- ceded to be one of the best equipped in the country. After it had been conducted for sev- eral years with satisfactory results it was trans- ferred to a Philadelphia syndicate.
During his long residence in Easton, Mr. Cornell has been identified with a number of or- ganizations. Shortly after his arrival he became connected with the Keystone Fire Company, of which he was president until the company was disbanded at the outbreak of the Civil war, a majority of its members enlisting in the army. He was a member of the National Guard, serv- ing under Captains Stoneback, Titus and Bell, and was connected with the Easton Greys during the whole period of its existence, holding the rank of second, and afterward, that of first lieuten- ant. His political principles are those promul- gated and supported by the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Cornell married, January 12, 1859, Sarah Elizabeth Innis, of Easton, Pennsylvania, where she was born October 5, 1839, her father, Samuel Innis, being engaged in the printing business in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Cornell were the parents of one daughter, Jennie Berdick, who was born July 12, 1863, and married at Denver, Colorado, William Marston Williams, who was born Jan- uary 12, 1859, at Scranton, Pennsylvania. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams: Helen Cornell, born April 8, 1890; Nelson Cornell, born September 1I, 1892; Louisa Huchings, born January 30, 1897; and Alice Huchings, born January 8, 1898. On December
9, 1898, Mrs. Williams and her children sus- tained a severe loss by the death of the husband and father, who on that day passed away at his home in Easton. The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Cornell, after extending over a period of nearly forty years, was terminated by the death of the latter, who expired May 21, 1896, deeply lamented by her family, and mourned by a large circle of friends by whom he was sincerely loved and honored.
McEVERS FORMAN, who was for over a third of a century associated with the banking interests of Easton, Pennsylvania, and was dur- ing that time one of its most honored citizens, was a son of John E. Forman, a prominent resident of Pittston, New Jersey, whose children were: McEvers, mentioned at length hereinafter ; Paul; Caroline; and two other daughters, Mrs. Cody and Mrs. Godley. All these were at one time residents of Milford.
McEvers Forman, son of John E. Forman, was born August 25, 1805, in Pittston, New Jer- sey. He was educated at Basking Ridge, in his native state, having for his preceptor the well known Dr. Brownly. One of his schoolmates was the Hon. William L. Dayton. In 1822, at the age of seventeen, Mr. Forman came to Easton, and was for some years employed as a clerk in the dry goods store of Eseck Howell. Later he formed a partnership with the late John Titus, and the firm for some time conducted what was then the largest dry goods establishment in the city. Feeling that the world of finance rather than that of commerce-successful though he had been in the latter-was his true sphere, Mr. Forman be- came a clerk in the Easton National Bank. It some became evident that he had made no mistake in the choice of an occupation, his ability com- pelling speedy recognition. In 1851, when the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank, now the First National Bank), was chartered, Mr. Forman was made cashier. He retained this po- sition until the retirement by reason of advanced years of Mr. John Stewart, when, on January I, 1876, Mr. Forman was elected president, a po- sition which he held until the close of his life.
191
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
While connected with these banks he was also associated with other local institutions. He was one of the originators of the Lehigh Transporta- tion Company, better known as the "Red Line," on account of the color of its boats, which plied on the Lehigh canal. For twenty years this com- pany existed, John Opdycke being the manager, until in 1864 its affairs were wound up. Mr. For- man was also a member of the board of directors of the following organizations : the Easton Cem- etery, the Easton Delaware Bridge Company, and the Northampton County Fire Insurance Com- pany. He was a member of the First Presbyter- ian Church, and a stanch supporter of Presbyter- ian doctrines. For twenty-three years he was a member of the board of trustees, and during the latter portion of that time was president of the board.
Mr. Forman married, in 1836, Angelina, daughter of Lawrence Hager, a widely known resident of German Valley, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Forman were the parents of one daughter, Mary S. Forman. The Hon. John D. Hager, of California, was a brother of Mrs. Forman.
The death of Mr. Forman, though a great shock to his family and friends, was not entirely unexpected, as some weeks before he had been prostrated by a paralytic stroke. For a time hopes were entertained of his recovery, but a sudden change for the worse set in, and two days later the long and useful life came to an end. He died January II, 1885, in the eightieth year of his age. The funeral services were attended by a large concourse of citizens, all being desirous of paying a tribute of respect to one so universally known and honored. The Rev. Mr. Miller, pastor of the church of which Mr. Forman had been a member, spoke with appreciation and feeling of his parish- ioner's many virtues as a business man, a citizen and a friend, and said of him : "He leaves behind him the memory of the just."
IRWIN S. UHLER, a graduate of Muhlen- burg College, at Allentown, Pennsylvania, and an attorney at law of Easton, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, is a lineal descendant of Jacob Uh- ler, who with three brothers, came from Germany,
and settled in Forks township, Northampton county, where they purchased large tracts of land and became useful and law abiding citizens.
Valentine Uhler (grandfather), son of Jacob Uhler, was reared on the old homestead in Forks township, and after attaining young manhood he chose the occupation of farmer, conducting his operations on the home farm, to which he suc- ceeded upon the death of his father. He was a life long resident of this locality, and by the faith- ful and conscientious discharge of the duties de- volving upon him as a citizen won the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Lutheran church. He married Elizabeth Brid- engher, born in 1793, a daughter of Jacob Brid- engher, of Plainfield township. They reared a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters-George, Peter, Richard, Jacob, Jere- miah, John, Valentine, (the last two named twins), Phebe, wife of George Knecht ; Mary, wife of David Sandt; Rebecca, wife of Reuben Jacoby. Valentine Uhler, father of these chil- dren, died in 1854, his wife passed away in 1843.
Richard Uhler ( father), third son of Valen- tine of Elizabeth Uhler, was born in Forks town- ship, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 10, 1824. He acquired an education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood, and resided on the old homestead during his minority. He then located on a tract of land which was formerly the property of his father, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1892, when he re- tired from business, after which he changed his place of residence to Easton. He has been a life- long adherent of the principles of Democracy. Mr. Uhler married Sarah Ann Schoch, of Forks town- ship, whose birth occurred April 13, 1823. Their children were : Ephraim, died in early life; Emeline, died in childhood; Madison, Clarissa, deceased ; Irwin S., Orandus, Edna, Emmons, de- ceased. The family are actively interested in the social life of the community, and are members of the Lutheran church.
Irwin S. Uhler, third son of Richard and Sarah Ann Uhler, was born on the old homestead in Forks township, Northampton county,
192
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
Pennsylvania, May 21, 1857. He obtained his preliminary education in the schools of Forks township, and subsequently became a student at Muhlenburg College, from which institution he was graduated in 1883. Having decided to lead a professional life, he entered the law office of R. E. James at Easton, and, having passed a cred- itable examination, was admitted to the North- ampton county bar in October, 1886. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession in the city of Easton. In politics he is a Democrat.
DAVID MAYNARD BACHMAN, a repre- sentative of the legal profession in the city of Easton, Pennsylvania, is a native of Durham, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being June 23, 1876.
He traces his ancestry to Christian Bachman, who was in this country prior to June 13, 1751, as in that year his name appears as being one of the residents of Lower Saucon township, Northamp- ton county, Pennsylvania. Christian Bachman was a prosperous farmer and miller, and his real estate at his death was appraised at three thous- and pounds. He was the father of ten sons and one daughter. Several of his sons went to New York to reside, one to New Jersey, one to Ten- nessee, and two to North Carolina. One of the sons who removed to New York, Jacob Bach- man, settled at Rheinbeck, and was the father of the Rev. Dr. John Bachman, of Charleston, South Carolina, the celebrated preacher and naturalist, who was born in New York in 1790, contributed to Audubon's great work, "The Birds of North America", and died in 1874. In a memoir of Dr. . Bachman's life, published by his daughter, the fol- lowing appears : "In 1858 Dr. Bachman wrote a sketch of his life for a scientific journal in Europe. In it he says : 'My paternal ancestor was a native of the canton of Berne, Switzerland; after vis- iting England, he came to America as private secretary to William Penn. Finally he settled near Easton, Pennsylvania, and as a reward for faithful services rendered to the infant colony, the governor granted him two townships of land called "Upper and Lower Sackeny", which are now settled by his numerous descendants.' " These
townships are probably those now known as Upper and Lower Saucon. The memoir further states that the secretary was a kinsman of Lieu- tenant General Bachman, of the Swiss Guard, who lost his life in the defense of Louis XVI of France, and whose name is second on Thor- waldsen's "Lion of Lucerne."
The line of ancestry is traced through Solo- mon Bachman, son of Christian Bachman, the possible ancestor, to his son Solomon, who was the father of a son, David, and David was the father of a son, Reuben Knecht, father of David M. Bachman. Reuben K. Bachman ( father) was born in Williams township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1834. He was a mer- chant and manufacturer at Durham and Riegels- ville, Pennsylvania, for forty-five years, a mem- ber of the German Reformed church, a member of the national house of representatives, and a Dem- ocrat in politics. He married Malinda Elizabeth Bachman, daughter of Aaron and Eliza (Lau- bach) Bachman. Aaron Bachman resided in Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, and Freemansburg, Pennsylvania, and followed the occupations of farmer, merchant, and canal- boat builder. He was a descendant of the afore- mentioned Chirstian Bachman, the line of descent being traced through Christian (2), George, Solomon.
David M. Bachman attended a preparatory school prior to his matriculation at Lafayette College in 1892, and after his graduation from the college in 1896 he studied law in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, under the preceptorship of Dallas Sanders, Esq., until 1899, and from 1900 to the present time (1904) has practiced his pro- fession in the city of Easton. During the passing years he has attained a place of prominence among the members of the bar. He is a member of the German Reformed church, and in the sphere of politics is a firm supporter of the can- didates and measures advocated by the Demo- cratic party. Mr. Bachman is unmarried.
BENJAMIN F. RIEGEL, a retired merchant of Easton, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, who for forty-five consecutive years was engaged
193
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
in the dry goods business in the city of Easton, was born in Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1825, a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Town- send) Riegel; and grandson of Benjamin Riegel.
Benjamin Riegel (father) was born in Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1777; was educated in the common schools, and subsequently learned the trade of stone mason. After his marriage to Hannah Townsend, who was born in Butztown, Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Riegel removed to Bucks county and purchased a one hundred and eighty-seven acre tract of land, the present site of the village of Riegelsville. He followed agricultural pursuits, and with the assistance of his eldest son was instrumental in the laying out of plots and the up- building of the village of Riegelsville, in the po- litical and social affairs of which he took an active and prominent part. He was a staunch adherent of the principles of the old line Whig party, served as a member of the state legislature for three years, and also held various county and township offices of trust and importance. During the war of 1812 he enlisted his services in behalf of his country, was appointed captain of a com- pany of men, and served with credit and distinc- tion during the entire conflict. He was a member of the German Reformed church. Benjamin Riegel and his wife, Hannah (Townsend) Riegel, were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom attained years of maturity-Hannah, Eli, Jesse, William, Isaac T., Susanna, Elizabeth, Benja- min F., and Samuel T. Riegel. Of this family, at the present time (1903), Benjamin F. Riegel is the only survivor. Benjamin Riegel, father of these children, died at his home in Riegelsville, in 1848, survived by his wife, whose death occurred in 1851.
The educational advantages enjoyed by Benja- min F. Riegel were obtained in the Moravian school at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For a short period of time after the completion of his studies, Mr. Riegel taught school in Warren county, New Jersey, but in 1850, located in Easton, Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in the dry goods busi- ness as a member of the firm of Micke & Riegel, and this connection continued for thirteen years.
Mr. Riegel conducted the same line of trade for forty-five consecutive years, in the city of Easton, having various partners during this period, and in the meantime was interested in an extensive stove manufacturing enterprise in Philipsburg, New Jersey. Being a man of practical business knowledge, great sagacity, and the strictest in- tegrity, he was chosen as one of the directors of the First National Bank in 1858, and has served in that capacity ever since. During his early manhood he was an old line Whig, later a Re- publican, and for many years served as a member of the school board and town council.
In 1847 Mr. Riegel was united in marriage to Eleanor S. Kelly, of Warren county, New Jersey, and the issue of this union was two sons- Thomas M., an employee of the First National Bank of Easton, and Frank, engaged in the dry goods business in the city of Philadelphia. The mother of these children died in 1860. In 1862 Mr. Riegel married Annie M. Green, of Easton, and one child was born to them, Lizzie, now the wife of Edward F. White. Mrs. Riegel died in 1884, and in 1889 Mr. Riegel chose for his third wife Emma L. Weaver, of Easton, Pennsylvania. Mr. Riegel holds membership in the Presbyterian church of Easton, in which he held the office of treasurer for twenty-one years, and was one of the members of the board of elders.
DR. KATHERINE DE WITT MIESSE, a representative of the medical profession, affords an excellent illustration of the adaptability of her sex to the profession which she adorns, as also of the potency of inherited talents and tastes. Her father was an accomplished physician, and her ancestry was most distinguished.
Among the old families of Holland who, in quest of religious and political liberty, sought the shores of the new world about the middle part of the seventeenth century, none other than that of De Witt was more useful and conspicuous in public and social life in the fatherland. The an- cestral home was at Dordrecht, an old burgher town, famous as the birthplace of Cuyp and Ary Scheffer and noted in theological annals as the meeting place of the never to be forgotten
13
194
HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
Synod of Dort. The "Geschlachten von Dord- recht" now in the Royal Library at the Hague, gives the descent of the De Witt family in an unbroken line from 1295 to 1639. Their devoted patriotism and zealous support of William the Silent in his long and heroic struggle to break the yoke of the Spanish oppressor early won for the family high honors in the state.
After the death of John of Barneveldt, Jacob De Witt succeeded to the office of Land Advo- cate of Holland, and long remained one of the chief counsellors of state. Cornelius, his son, Burgomeister of Dordrecht, became quite as em- inent in naval warfare as his father had been in the affairs of government. His valor soon won for him the command of a Dutch fleet, at the head of which he sailed up the Thames, burning Eng- lish ships, and sending consternation into the very heart of London.
Closely related to Admiral Cornelius De Witt was Jogn De Witt, one of the most distinguished men in the history of the Netherlands. He be- came Grand Pensionary of Holland during the period between the separation from Spain and the Thirty Years War. The same indomitable courage and restless energy which made the fam- ily such an important factor in the history of its native state, also made its representatives pio- neers in the great movement to the new west. As early as 1639 the De Witt family was estab- lished in America by three brothers, Peter, Abram and Isaac, who settled in Ulster county, New York. A short time previous to the Revolu- tionary war, Peter De Witt removed thence and located in Harmony township, in Warren county, New Jersey. His sons, after a period of service in the Continental army, devoted themselves to agricultural pursuits, and came to be among the largest landowners in the county.
Dr. James De Witt, the father of Dr. Kath- erine De Witt Meisse, was born in 1827, on the family homestead at Harmony, New Jersey, where he is now passing a retired yet not inactive life. His early education was received in the public schools in his native village, and this was supplemented by a course of private instruction. Determined to devote his life to the profession
of medicine, he began his preparation under the tutelage of one Dr. Stiles, a Harmony physician, and subsequently pursued an advanced course in the Medical Department of the University of New York, from which he was graduated with the class of 1849. This class is justly distinguished in the annals of its alma mater, not only for the large number of its members, but for the eminent services which they have since rendered both in professional and civic life. Probably its most distinguished member is Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, of Philadelphia, equally renowned as author and physician.
Dr. De Witt immediately took a high standing in his class, and evinced his professional aptitude and mental mastery by being graduated second in a large class. He immediately entered upon practice in his childhood home, and has continued in it with unremitting zeal and signal success for a half century. In his earlier years his practice extended over a wide range of territory, rendering it necessary to cover an area of thirty square miles to minister to his patients. He has always maintained a lively interest and taken a leading part in the public affairs of the community in which he has passed his life. His political sup- port is given to the Democratic party. The Ma- sonic order numbers him among its adherents. and for many years he has been a staunch sup- porter of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Har- mony, in whose welfare he has always taken a peculiar interest. He has been for many years physician of the board of health of Warren county, and also president of the board of edu- cation. Dr. De Witt is a man of singular sweet- ness of character, and his personal characteristics have made him both esteemed as a physician and beloved as a man.
His wife was Rachel B. Brands, daughter of David D. Brands, a wealthy landowner of War- ren county, New Jersey. Mrs. De Witt is a lady of many engaging qualities, and has con- tributed very largely towards her husband's suc- cess. Dr. and Mrs. De Witt have three daugh- ters : Mabel, who became the wife of Dr. M. F. Warner ; Ida, the wife of the Rev. Frank Bruce Lynch, D. D., and Katherine De Witt.
195
GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
Katherine De Witt was born on the old fam- ily homestead. After attendance at the Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pennsylvania, she was graduated from that institution. In 1880 she mar- ried the Rev. William H. Miesse, of Ohio. Her husband was ordained to the ministry of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and began his pastorate at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for two years, until his death, in 1883. By this marriage there was one child, a daughter, Edith, who is a graduate of the Woman's College at Baltimore, Maryland.
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.