USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 34
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Soon after the death of her husband, Mrs. Miesse, resolving to devote herself to the profes- sion of her father, entered the Woman's Medical College at Philadelphia, from which she was graduated with the class of 1889. Opening an office at Easton, she was successful from the very beginning, and has built up a large practice. She is a member of the American Medical Association, the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, and is an active member of the Woman's Medi- cal College Alumnae Society.
Dr. Miesse's interests, however, are by no means limited to her professional labors. She is active in the work of the civic and charitable as- sociations of her city, particularly in connection with improvements in sanitary conditions sur- rounding the poor. To conclude, it may be said, and entirely without exaggeration, that Dr. Miesse occupies a position in the life of Easton which in her absence could not well be filled.
WILLIAM ARTHUR MUTCHLER. Among the old and well known families of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, none are more prominent and influential than the Mutchler fam- ily, which was founded in America by John and Valentine Mutchler, brothers, natives of Ger- many, who emigrated to the new world in 1752, and settled in Warren county, New Jersey, on the ground now known as the Mellick farm, Marble Hill.
Valentine Mutchler, the progenitor of the branch of the family of which William A. Mutchler is a descendant, followed the occupation of stone mason in addition to the management and
operation of a farm. He was a worthy man, a public-spirited citizen, and faithfully and con- scientiously fulfilled all the duties allotted to him. His wife, Caroline (Stonebach) Mutchler, bore him several children whose births occurred in Warren county, New Jersey, and they were the ancestors of a numerous and worthy line of de- scendants who became good and loyal citizens.
Valentine Mutchler, son of Valentine and Caroline Mutchler, followed the example of his father and served an apprenticeship at the trade of stone mason, which line of industry he followed in connection with agricultural pursuits, achiev- ing a large degree of success in both enterprises. His children were: John, Samuel, Mary, George W., and Elizabeth Mutchler.
John Mutchler, eldest son of Valentine Mutchler, was born in Warren county, New Jer- sey, in 1792, and the active years of his long and useful life were spent in working at his trade of stone mason and in the operation of an extensive and productive farm. In 1826 he removed from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, locating at Chain Dam, and there he resided up to the time of his death which occurred October 4, 1838. John Mutchler and his wife, Margaret (Mellick) Mutchler, who was born in 1798 and died in 1863, were the parents of the following named children, all of whom were born in the state of New Jersey : George, Henry M., Valentine, Ellen, Jacob, Jane, John, William, James, Godfrey, and an unnamed infant, the last seven being born at Chain Dam.
George Mutchler, eldest son of John and Mar- garet Mutchler, was born in 1818, reared on a farm, and thus became thoroughly familiar with the routine duties and labors pertaining to that occupation. After his marriage to Christiana Hill, daughter of John Hill, of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, who bore him the following named children : Ellen, Henry M., Jacob, John and William Arthur Mutchler, he followed farm- ing in Lower Mt. Bethel township, and in 1857 removed to Mt. Pleasant, and for the following ten years engaged in mercantile business. At the expiration of this period of time he received the appointment of steward of the alms house of
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Northampton county, which was located at Naz- areth, and this position he held up to the time of his death.
William A. Mutchler, youngest son of George and Christiana Mutchler, was born in Lower Mt. Bethel township, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1855. He pursued his studies at the Moravian school of Nazareth for two years, and then be- Came a pupil in the public schools of Easton, where he completed his education in the fifteenth year of his age. His first employment was in the capacity of messenger boy in the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Easton, and by faithfully discharging the duties of that humble position he won the approval and commendation of his employers, who steadily advanced him from time to time until now he is the incumbent of the office of district freight agent' at Easton, Penn- sylvania. Mr. Mutchler takes an active and keen interest in the political affairs of the city of Eas- ton, and has served as a member of the select committee from the eighth ward. Politically he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1876 Mr. Mutchler married Anna L. Meixsell, daughter of Peter Meixsell, and five children were the issue of this union : George F., employed by the United States Express Com- pany ; Belle, wife of Russell K. Boadwell, of Eas- ton, Pennsylvania; Edwin H., a plumber by trade ; Arthur W., and Walter Mutchler.
WILLIAM B. MARX. The earliest Amer- ican ancestor of the Marx family, whose members have been prominently and actively identified with the commercial, political, and social inter- ests of the various communities in which they re- sided, was George Marx, whose son, George Marx, Jr., was apprenticed to Josiah Calier, in 1774, for four years and six months, to learn the trade of saddler, and in 1794, he was commis- sioned ensign of the Third Company of the Sixth Regiment by Governor Mifflin. Samuel Marx, son of George Marx, Jr., whose birth occurred in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1794, was a member of the state legislature, a Democrat in
politics, and an adherent of the doctrines of the Lutheran church. He died in 1872, survived by a son and two daughters-William S., Henrietta M. Price, and Lavinia Grubb.
William Samuel Marx (father), only son of Samuel Marx, was born in Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, March 1, 1829. He was a student at Princeton College, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1848. Shortly after his graduation he was admitted to the Lehigh county bar, and during the many years of his active bus- iness career he was engaged in the practice of law in the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania. His fraternal affiliations were with the Masonic order, and his political support was given to the candi- dates of the Republican party. For a number of years he served in the capacity of district attor- ney, and subsequently was a candidate for con- gressional honors. Mr. Marx married, in 1854, Josephine W. Baldwin, a daughter of Caleb D. Baldwin, of Bloomfield, New Jersey, and the fol- lowing named children were born to them: Marion D .; Frank B., died at the age of twenty- eight years; William B., Henry F., and George D., who died in infancy. William S. Marx, the father of these children, died in 1866, sincerely mourned by all who had the honor of his ac- quaintance. He had led a just and honorable life, and thus bequeathed to his family not only the accumulations of a successful business career, but the priceless heritage of a good name.
William B. Marx, second son of William S. and Josephine W. Marx, was born in Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1860. The early years of his life were spent in his native city, and he obtained an excellent academic edu- cation wherein was the foundation of the suc- cess which he has achieved in his business career. He is now engaged in the coal and cement trade in the city of Easton, Northampton county, and by strict and careful attention to every detail of the business he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative patronage. Mr. Marx has always given an active and loyal support to the men and measures advocated by the Re- publican party. He is a member of the Presby- terian church of Easton, Pennsylvania.
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Mr. Marx was united in marriage to Eliza W. Fox, daughter of the late Edward J. Fox, the ceremony being performed December 27, 1888. One child has been born of this union, Edward J. F. Marx.
JACOB D. UPDEGROVE, M. D., a special- ist in the treatment of the diseases of the nose and throat, was born in Monocacy, Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1862. The family name has figured in the annals of Pennsylvania since the establishment of the colony, for the ancestors of Dr. Updegrove came to America with William Penn in the "Welcome," in 1683, and settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania, where they became prominent and influential citizens. Since that time their descendants have belonged to the class of representative men who promote the intel- lectual, legal and moral status of the state.
Edward Updegrove was the father of Jacob Updegrove, who was born in Oley, Berks coun- ty, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1798. He was a farmer, and on the 21st of November, 1819, mar- ried Elizabeth Shaffer, who was born in Decem- ber, 1796. They were the parents of William, Elizabeth, Levi S., and Frederick Updegrove. While reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, Mr. Updegrove afterward attended the Lutheran church. He died November 8, 1873, and his wife on the 13th of October, 1881. Levi S. Updegrove was the father of Dr. Updegrove. His birth occurred in Oley, Berks county, De- cember 16, 1830, and was reared upon the home farm, and followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. He was married, March 17, 1850, to Sophia Davidheiser, a daugh- ter of George Davidheiser, and their children are Amos, Sarah, George A., Caroline, Mahlon, David, Harrison, Jacob D., Levi and Lillie. Mr. Updegrove held membership in the Lutheran church, and gave his political allegiance to the Republican party. His death occurred October 22, 1899, and his wife died August 5, 1894.
Dr. Updegrove supplemented his early edu- cation acquired in the common schools by study in Reading and at the Kutztown Normal School and Lafayette College, being graduated in the
last named institution with the class of 1884. His professional training was received in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, of which he is an alumnus of 1890. He began the practice of his chosen profession in Easton, where he has built up a large business. From 1884 until 1890 he was adjunct in the physical training de- partment of Lafayette College, and since 1890 he has held the chair of director of physical train- ing and lecturer on hygiene. He pursued a spe- cial course of study in the Polyclinic of Philadel- phia in 1897, and has since made a specialty of the treatment of the diseases of the nose and throat, and that he has attained considerable skill and proficiency is indicated by the large patronage accorded him.
Dr. Updegrove is a Republican in his polit- ical views and affiliations, and he belongs to sev- eral fraternal organizations, including the Ma- sonic lodge and chapter, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He and his family attend the Lutheran church. He was married, February 23, 1884, to Miss Susan S. Beck, of Berks county, a daughter of Henry G. and Leah (Swavely) Beck. Five children were born of this marriage, but Maude died in infancy. The living members of the fam- ily are Harvey C., Henry T., Leah E. and Alice.
GEORGE FREDERICK KICHLINE, a well-known business man of Easton, Pennsyl- vania, belongs to a family which had its origin and for many generations its home in the Fath- erland. The name, which is variously spelled in old records, Kechline, Keechline, and Kachline, but has for a long time appeared in its present form, plainly indicates the Teutonic origin of the race.
Peter Kichline, the founder of the family in America, was born in Germany, October 8, 1722, and emigrated to Pennsylvania some time prior to the Revolutionary war. He erected on the left bank of Bushkill river, back of Mount Jefferson, the first grist-mill ever built within the limits of the town of Easton. He was also the proprietor of a hotel, and was a man who possessed the re- spect and confidence of his neighbors, as is evi-
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dent from the fact that in 1762 he was elected sheriff. In the Indian war of 1763 he rendered valuable service, and in 1774 was chosen member of assembly. In December of that year a meet- ing of citizens was held in the court-house for the purpose of electing a committee of safety, the air of the colonies being then darkened by the threat- ening clouds of the impending struggle for inde- pendence. At this meeting Mr. Kichline was chosen, in conjunction with Mr. George Taylor, judge of election, and of the band of patriots which formed the committee of safety was the second one elected. He was placed on the stand- ing committee, where his record was such as to justify the trust reposed in him. Not only as a citizen did Mr. Kichline render valuable aid to the cause of freedom, but as a soldier his record was also noteworthy. He was colonel of militia, and in that capacity was frequently in corres- pondence with the president of the common- wealth of Pennsylvania. In volume XII of "Co- lonial Records," page 312, we find that he was ordered to call out the militia of the county, and empowered to offer $1,500 for every Tory or In- dian prisoner, and $1,000 for every Indian scalp. On the next page appears an order for him to march immediately to the townships of Upper and Lower Smithfield to repress an incursion of savages. He was present at the battle of Brook- lyn, where he was taken prisoner, but was soon re- leased and returned to his service in the field. He rented a large room on the second floor of his hotel to commissioners for the transaction of public business. By the votes of his townsmen he held for a considerable period the office of justice of the peace. The last years of the life of Mr. Kichline were passed at the home of his son Peter, who lived on a farm two miles above Easton. Here, on November 27, 1789, he ended his active and useful life, honored by all for his fidelity to his adopted country. At the time of his death he was a man of substance, and his valuable mill property passed into the possession of his son Andrew.
Peter Kichline, mentioned above as the son of the distinguished emigrant ancestor, was the father of a son who was also called Peter, being
the third in unbroken lineal descent to bear the name. His son Joseph was born in Palmer town- ship, and was educated at the German Reformed school, at the corner of Sitgreaves and Church streets. This school was presided over by Mr. Hempsing, who is also remembered in Easton as the organist of the Reformed church in Third street. Mr. Kichline had a long and varied busi- ness career. His political principles were those of the Democratic party, and he was a member of the Reformed church. He married Catherine, daughter of Frederick Wagner, and their children were : Susanna, deceased ; Mary, Annie, Andrew, died in infancy ; and George Frederick, mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. Kichline lived to old age, and expired September 14, 1889, aged seven- ty-two years, rich in the affection of his family and friends, and the esteem of all who knew him.
George Frederick Kichline, son of Joseph and Catherine (Wagner) Kichline, was born Novem- ber 10, 1859, in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he was educated in the public schools. On entering the business world he chose for his special field of endeavor the department of real estate and insurance, in which he has labored ever since with energy and ability, and has reaped the just reward of his efforts both in financial profit and unquestioned reputation. Among the insurance companies represented by him may be mentioned the following : the London Assurance Corporation of London ; New York Underwriters ; Providence Washington Insurance Company, of Providence, Rhode Island; the Rochester German Insurance Company, of Rochester, New York; the Home Fire and Marine Insurance Company, of Cali- fornia ; and the Traders' of Chicago.
Mr. Kichline married, in 1884, Florence J., daughter of Robert and Anna (Young) Cot- tingham.
ALBERT ROGERS DUNN, of Easton, Pennsylvania, was born in Salem, Salem county, New Jersey, October 20, 1850, and is descended from one of the oldest families of that state. Soon after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by the order of King Louis XIV, in 1684, many Huguenots fled from France to avoid religious
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persecution, and among the number were two brothers-Zaccheus and Thomas Dunn-who were natives of Alsace-Loraine. They settled in Pilesgrove, in Lower Penns Neck, Salem county, now known as Finus Point, on which the United States government has erected extensive forti- fications for the defense of the entrance to the Delaware river from Delaware bay.
Zaccheus Dunn made his home in the upper part of Pilesgrove, and was a member of the So- ciety of Friends there. To him and his wife, Deborah, was born a son on December 2, 1678, and to that child they gave the name of Zac- cheus. After attaining years of maturity Zac- cheus Dunn (2) married and became the father of a son, John Dunn.
John Dunn purchased three hundred and fifty acres of land in Gloucester county, New York, in 1734, from William Penn, paying for this prop- erty the sum of one hundred and five pounds in English money. The deed thereto was signed by the heirs of William Penn, and the greater part of the tract was located in Penn's Neck. John Dunn and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Alexander, had five children: Eben- ezer, born April 24, 1753; Thomas, born Febru- ary 12, 1755; Jean, born December 20, 1756; Sarah, born March 2, 1759; and John, born Jan- mary 12, 1761. The father of this family dieci June 15, 1777, and the mother passed away May 30, 1775.
Ebenezer Dunn, who was born April 24, 1753, was the great-grandfather of Albert R. Dunn. On June II, 1772, he married Abigail Capner, and their children were: Samuel, born June 26, 1773, died July 5, 1782 ; John, born May 4, 1775 ; Catherine, born October 8, 1777, died April 6, 1780; and Thomas, born December 14, 1779, died November 27, 1780. The mother of these chil- dren died March 5, 1780, and for his second wife Ebenezer Dunn chose Mary Pedrick, their mar- riage taking place July 20, 1781. Their children were: Thackeray, born April 23, 1782, died De- cember 16, 1792; Sarah, born June 23, 1784; Samuel Elijah, born July 3, 1789; and Mary, born February 23, 1792. Ebenezer Dunn died
July 2, 1812, and the death of his second wife oc- curred November 15, 1814.
Samuel Dunn, the grandfather of Albert R. Dunn, was born December 17, 1786, at Penn's Neck, New Jersey. He was united in marriage to Gulielme Jeffries, December 26, 1807, and nine children were the issue of this union: Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Rebecca, Ebenezer, Mary, John, Elijah, and Ann Dunn. The mother of these children died April 8, 1823, and Samuel Dunn chose for his second wife Sarah Casper, their marriage taking place January 18, 1826. They were the parents of five children : Emeline, Ne- hemiah, Thomas, Caroline, and Thackeray.
Nehemiah Dunn, father of Albert R. Dunn, was born at Penn's Point, New Jersey, in 1835. He obtained a common school and collegiate education, graduating from Dickinson College, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He was one of the enterprising and prosperous merchants of Salem, New Jersey, and he also served his town in various local offices, being the postmaster un- der the administration of President Johnson. He was a Methodist in religion, and an ardent war Democrat in politics. He married Abigail Good- win Thompson, who was born in Elsingboro township, Salem county, New Jersey, May 17, 1826, daughter of William and Elizabeth Thompson, and a descendant of good old English stock. In early life she was a Quakeress, but later became a member of the Methodist church. Nehemiah Dunn died in 1871, and his wife passed away on October 13, 1896.
Albert R. Dunn was educated at the Quaker Academy, Salem, New Jersey. At the age of twenty years he came to Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, to enter the banking house of Jay Cooke & Co., but owing to their failure he came on to Easton, Pennsylvania, located here in the year 1870, and has since made his home in that city. He was associated with the T. T. Miller Hard- ware Company for five years, served with the Easton Lock Company as secretary for two years, and in 1877 established his present business- tobacco and confectionery-locating in the same store which he now occupies, and where he con-
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ducts a large wholesale trade. In addition to his large mercantile interests, he serves as director in the following named institutions : the First Na- tional Bank of Easton, the Northampton Trust Company, of Easton, and the Northampton Elec- tric Railroad ; and is president of the Eagle Fibre Company, of Easton, Pennsylvania, with factory at Stockertown, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania. He is a trustee in the Brainerd Union Presbyterian church of Easton. He is active and prominent in the Masonic order, being past master of Easton Lodge, No. 152, high priest of Easton Chapter, No. 173, eminent commander of Hugh De Payens Commandery, No. 19, Knights Temp- lar, and thrice illustrious past master of Fomp Council, No. 21, all of Easton. Being a past of- ficer by merit in the above bodies, he is likewise a member of the grand bodies in each, located at Philadelphia. Politically he is a Democrat, but casts his vote for the candidate best suited for of- fice, irrespective of party.
At Easton, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1873, Mr. Dunn was married to Emily Miller, born in Easton, May 28, 1850, daughter of the late Thomas T. Miller, late president of the North- ampton County National Bank of Easton. Thomas Thompson Miller was born in 1825, a son of Thomas and Martha Catherine ( Barre) Miller, married Emily Matilda Mixell, and died January 13, 1890. Mrs. Dunn was educated at Friends Seminary, at Morristown, New Jersey. The issue of this marriage was two children : Ralph Miller, born January 22, 1879, was edu- cated at Parks Academy. He is unmarried, re- sides with his parents, and is a member of the First Reformed church of Easton. Helen, born August 15, 1890, a student at the Easton high school, a member of the Brainerd Presbyterian church, and resides at home with her parents.
JOHN T. KNIGHT, deceased, for many years a prominent citizen of Easton, Pennsyl- vania, was born at Thompson, Putnam county, Connecticut, December 15, 1822.
Deacon Samuel Knight, great-grandfather of John T. Knight, was born at Concord, Massa- chusetts, in 1710. In 1736 or 1737 he married
Rachel Leavens, of Killingly, Connecticut, whose birth occurred in 1716. He died in Plainfield, Connecticut, in the year 1789, and his wife died at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1785.
Samuel Knight, grandfather of John T. Knight, was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, in 1759. His marriage to Eunice Parkhurst oc- curred at Plainfield, Connecticut, and shortly afterward they settled on a farm in Killingly, Connecticut, where they reared a family of chil- dren, namely : Samuel P., born at Killingly, Con- necticut, January 17, 1782; Hannah, born at Providence, Rhode Island, December 13, 1783; Eunice, born at Providence, Rhode Island, Feb- ruary 19, 1786; Theopilus, born at Plainfield, Connecticut, June 2, 1788; Fanny, born at Plain- field, Connecticut, March 26, 1790; Ebenezer, born at Brookfield, Massachusetts, January 14, 1792; Elisha, born at Brookfield, Massachusetts, January 15, 1794; Mary, born at Brookfield, Massachusetts, August 1, 1796; and Royal, born at Warren, Massachusetts, October 26, 1801. Samuel Knight, father of these children, died at Warren, Massachusetts, in 1831, and his wife, Eunice (Parkhurst) Knight, died in the same city in 1833.
Elisha Knight, father of John T. Knight, was reared and educated in Brookfield, Massachusetts, but later removed to Dudley, where he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Davis Hancock, who was born in Oxford, Massachusetts, in 1795, and died in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1843. She removed to Dudley, Massachusetts, when two years of age, with her parents. She was a daugh- ter of Captain Allen Hancock, who was born April 5, 1754, at Wrentham, Massachusetts, and who married, January 1, 1789, Lucy Corbin, widow of Samuel Corbin, of Thompson, Con- necticut, and daughter of William Larned, of Dudley, Massachusetts. Captain Hancock and his wife removed to Oxford, Massachusetts, and in 1800 settled in Dudley, in the same state, where their deaths occurred, respectively, October II, 1848, and March 12, 1836. He was a mem- ber of Captain John Town's company, and marched to the Lexington alarm. He was cap- tain of militia at Oxford, and for ten years from
J.J. Aught
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1787 to 1797 served in the capacity of assessor. He was much admired and esteemed by all who had the honor of his acquaintance. He was the son of Captain William Hancock, a son of An- thony and Ruth Hancock, of Wrentham, Massa- chusetts, who was born in 1703, was captain of militia, came to Oxford previous to 1760, and in 1777, a period in which wisdom, firmness and patriotism were demanded, being then seventy- four years of age, he was chosen representative, was re-elected to the same position, and also served as chairman of selectmen. He died March 8, 1789, aged eighty-seven years, and his wife Hannah died in December, 1791, aged seventy-eight years.
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