USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 50
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
Of the children born to this worthy couple, the following named came to North America- John Renatus, Christian Frederick, and David- the two former founded families, but the latter remained single. John Renatus Beitel, the ances- tor of Charles H. Beitel, on coming to this coun- try was placed in a Moravian boarding school for small boys in Frederick township, near the city of Philadelphia, and four years later was transferred to Macungie (now Emaus, Pennsylvania). On November 14, 1752, he with seven other boys, was removed to Bethlehem, and subsequently he settled in Nazareth and was united in marriage to Juliana Schmidt, a daughter of Melchoir Schmidt, who was one of the first settlers of Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Their children were-Christian Frederick, born January 23, 1780, who became a resident of Allentown, and died September 16, 1869; John born July 18, 1782, who settled at Nazareth ; Rosina, born March 5, 1786, died De- cember 19, 1861, who was the wife of George Hoehler, of Hanover, Pennsylvania; Ann Eliza- beth, born December 2, 1789, died April 4, 1859, who was the wife of George Ricksicker, of Naz- areth, Pennsylvania. . John Renatus Beitel, the father of these children, was a tailor of buckskin garments. He lived to the extremely old age of ninety-nine years, nine months and seven days.
John Beitel, the grandfather of Charles H. Beitel, was born at Nazareth, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1782. He was the second son of John Renatus and Juliana Beitel. He was a watch maker by trade, and served as postmaster for a number of years. He married Anna Magdalene Romig, born at Emaus, in the year 1792, a daughter of John F. and Elizabeth ( Knauss) Romig. Their children were-Josiah Oliver, Annabella, Will- iam, Calvin, Ellen Augusta, and Mary Louisa Beitel.
Josiah Oliver Beitel, eldest son of John and Anna M. Beitel, born January 23, 1811, was edu- cated at Nazareth Hall, and became a practical clock and watch maker and silversmith, which line of trade he followed for many years, and in which he achieved a large measure of success. At the same time he engaged in the lumber business. He was a musician of note, having been passionately
devoted to that art from boyhood to manhood, and for a number of years he was a member and trustee of the Nazareth Moravian church. Mr. Beitel was united in marriage to Sophia Kern, who was born June 24, 1814, a daughter of Chris- tian and Maria Elizabeth (Bishop) Kern. Their children are: Edward Cornelius, born October 7, 1834; James, born June 15, 1842, who was an active participant in the Civil war; Richard Oliver, born November 2, 1844 : Charles H., men- tioned at length in the following paragraph ; and Lewis Josiah, born January 13, 1851.
Charles Henry Beitel, fourth son of Josiah Oliver and Sophia Beitel, was born November 12, 1846, at Nazareth, Pennsylvania. He acquired a liberal education at the Moravian parochial school of Nazareth, and his business career has been devoted to teaching in the following named col- leges and schools, his specialties being German, music and drawing. He was an instructor at Nazareth Hall from 1863 to 1868; at Mohegan Lake School near Peekskill, New York, from 1868 to 1872; at Cornwall Heights School, New York, from 1873 to 1876; was head master at Burlington College in New Jersey in the year 1876; taught at Catasauqua in the public gram- mar school from 1877 to 1880; at Trinity School, Tivoli, New York, from 1880 to 1886; was gov- ernor of the Friends' School at Providence, Rhode Island, from 1886 to 1887 ; taught again at Trin- ity School, from 1887 to 1891 ; and since 1892 he has taught at Nazareth Hall, Nazareth, Fennsyl- vania. He has also creditably and efficiently filled the position of organist at the Nazareth Mora- vian church for several years.
In 1872 occurred the marriage of Charles H. Beitel and Catharine Tindall of Peekskill, New York, daughter of John Tindall of Hastings, Eng- land, and the issue of this union was the follow- ing named children-1. Miriam Adeline, born February 18, 1873, who is a graduate of Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and at the present time ( 1903) the head teacher in Latin and Greek at the Cambridge Preparatory School for Ladies at Cambridge, Massachusetts ; 2. Blanche, who died in infancy; 3. Edward Tindall, born November 8, 1876, who died June 6, 1880.
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
ADDISON GEORGE UNANGST, who as proprietor of a furniture store in Nazareth, is closely associated with the business development of that borough, was born December II, 1872. The family is of German origin, and was estab- lished in America by three brothers, Philip, George Henry, and John Unangst, who left the fatherland and settled in Pennsylvania at a very early period in its development. The last named located in Williams township, Philip in Mount Bethel township, and George Henry in Bethlehem township, Northampton county. It was one of these brothers who was the grandfather of Addi- son George Unangst.
In the common schools Addison G. Unangst obtained his education, and was then sent to Beth- lehem, where he continued his studies from 1886 until 1890. He then put aside his text books to become a factor in active business life in a drug store, but later entered the general store of his father. There he remained until he had attained his majority, when he and his father established a furniture and carpet store. About this time the country was involved in a financial panic, and every one predicted that the new enterprise could not long continue, but father and son gave strict attention to their business, and through capable management and straightforward methods they secured a patronage which made the business very profitable. In 1898 Addison G. Unangst went to Pittsburg, where he entered a school in order to learn the methods of embalming bodies, as the firm intended to add an undertaking de- partment to their store. This they did, and for three years continued in business along that line, but the increase in their furniture trade demanded that they give their entire attention to that de- partment. In 1897 the father died, and since that time Mr. Unangst has had complete control of the business.
In politics he is independent, keeping well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day, and has never sought or desired office. He is a member of the Order of the Golden Eagles, and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church. He has traveled quite extensively in his own country, especially throughout the west.
On the 25th of July, 1896, Mr. Unangst was married to Miss Vestilla A. Moser, who was born in 1873, and is a daughter of Aaron and Catherine Moser, the former a slate operator of Moore township. By this marriage there is one child, George A., born June 20, 1897.
WILSON A. BUSS, who is proprietor of a milk depot in Nazareth, was born in Lower Naz- areth township, Northampton county, October 24, 1866. Several generations of the family have re- sided in this part of the state, the establishment of the family here antedating the Revolutionary war.
Jonas Buss, the grandfather, was born in Bethlehem township and having pursued a com- mon-school education his attention was turned to farming, which he followed until his life's labors were ended in death. He married a Miss Wag- ner, also a native of Bethlehem township.
Amandas Buss, the father of Wilson A. Buss, was born on the old family homestead in Beth- lehem township, in 1839, and at the usual age en- tered the public schools, therein mastering the common branches of English learning. He, too, followed farming as a life work, but in recent years has lived retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, making his home in Nazareth. When he became of age he removed to Lower Nazareth township, and was there identified with agricultural pursuits until he left the farm to take up his abode in the town. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, and he attends the Re- formed church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Christiana Heller, and is now deceased, was a daughter of Jacob Heller, who is living in Nazareth. By this marriage there were born two children, the daughter Ida living with her father.
Wilson A. Buss was a student in the township schools in his boyhood days, and was thus pre- pared to meet the responsible and practical du- ties of life. He began farming on his own ac- count after attaining his majority, and continued the cultivation of his land until 1897, when he re- moved to Nazareth, where he established a milk depot, and is now conducting a large business. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
party, and he and his family attend the Lutheran church.
Mr. Buss was married, in 1886, to Miss Tessie Lowall, a daughter of Reuben O. Lowall, a farmer of Lower Nazareth township. By their marriage there are four children : Herbert, born in January, 1888; Tuman, born in January, 1890; Clarence, born in October, 1893; and Lela, born in November, 1895.
CALVIN F. SMITH, who has achieved an enviable reputation in the legal profession is an energetic, useful and public-spirited citizen of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and is a native of East Allen township, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, the date of his birth being September 7, 1872. He is a son of Joseph H. and Sarah (Miller) Smith, the former named having been born in Moore township, in 1847, a son of John Peter and Mary (Lichtenwalner) Schmidt.
Calvin F. Smith acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the common schools of his native town- ship, later was a student at the Keystone Normal School, from which institution he was graduated in 1892, and subsequently attended Falatinate College, Myerstown, and Lafayette College. He then took up the study of law in the office of Will- iam Fackenthall, Esq., and after passing a credit- able examination was admitted to the Northamp- ton county bar on April 1I, 1897. He immedi- ately opened a law office at Nazareth, and enjoys the distinction of being the first lawyer in the town. He has since continuously practiced his profession there, and being a man of fine intellect and superior legal attainments, his clientele has constantly increased in volume and importance and is now quite lucrative.
For four consecutive years Mr. Smith served as borough solicitor for Nazareth, has served as solicitor for the directors of the poor of North- ampton county for four years, and at the present time (1903) is borough solicitor for the towns of Stuckertown and Tatamy. He is also serving in the capacity of president of the Nonpareil Brick and Clay Company, solicitor of the Second Na- tional Bank of Nazareth since its organization, and secretary of the Greenwood Cemetery. In
religion Mr. Smith is a member of the Reformed church, in politics is an ardent supporter of the principles of Democracy, and in fraternal matters is affiliated with Whitfield Lodge, No. 622, An- cient, Free and Accepted Masons. In all matters that pertain to the welfare and improvement of his town, Mr. Smith takes an active interest, and it is through his generosity and philanthrophy, and that of R. F. Babp, Esq., that the land was don- ated to the town for Washington Park.
On November 1, 1898, Mr. Smith married Ella Fink, daughter of Thomas Fink, of Lehigh- ton, Carbon county, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of one son, Thomas Joseph Smith.
ABRAHAM J. STOFFLET. Prominent among the enterprising and successful business men of Nazareth, Northampton county, is Abra- ham J. Stofflet. He is descended, as his name indicates, from German ancestry, and belongs to a family which has been, for several generations, resident in the county.
Abraham Stofflet, son of Henry and Sarah (Biedlimann) Stofflet, was born in Plainfield township, and was all his life numbered among the farmers of that region. His political faith was that of the Democratic party. He was a member of the Reformed church. He married Sophia Schmidt, and their children were: Eliza- beth D., Sarah Yedder, Mary A., Peter H., Ben- jamin J., Lizzie C., Reubana S., and Abraham J., mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. and Mrs. Stofflet are both deceased. They exemplified in their lives the principles of fidelity to duty and kindness to all.
Abraham J. Stofflet, son of Abraham and So- phia (Schmidt ) Stofflet, was born April 8, 1861, in Plainfield township, where he obtained his edu- cation in the common schools. At the age of four- teen he was employed as clerk in a general store in Belfast, where he remained three years. The next three years he spent at home on the farm, acting as assistant to his father. Feeling, how- ever, a decided preference for mercantile over ag- ricultural pursuits, he went at the end of that time to Easton, where for ten years he held a posi- tion as clerk with the firm of Bush.& Bull, receiv-
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
ing during that period an extremely thorough equipment for a mercantile career. March 19, 1890, he came to Nazareth and there established, at the corner of Centre and M streets, a general store. His success may be inferred from the fact that in 1899 he built his present commodious store, in which he now conducts an extensive and thriving business. Mr. Stofflet's talents as a financier find exercise not only in the management of his own large and constantly increasing com- mercial transactions, but also in other fields of endeavor. He is a director of the Nazareth Na- tional Bank, and was one of the organizers of the Nazareth Canning Company. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and the Senior Order of American Mechanics. He also affiliates with the Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he is faithful to the traditions of his family, adhering to the Dem- ocratic party. He is a member of the Reformed church.
Mr. Stofflet married, January 24, 1884, Hen- rietta, daughter of Valentine Uhler, and they are the parents of the following children : Walter C., Miriam, Morris C., Mamie S., and Julia. At the same time that Mr. Stofflet erected his present store he also built the desirable residence which is now his home, and a centre of attraction for a numerous circle of friends.
RUDOLPH F. BABP, president of the Sec- ond National Bank of Nazareth, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, of which he was one of the organizers, is a successful business man, honor- able, public-spirited, and philanthropic, and a de- scendant of German ancestors who took up their residence in this country in the latter part of the eighteenth century.
He was born in Forks township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1841, a son of Aaron F. and Mary (Schweitzer) Babp, and grandson of Abraham and Magdalene Babp. Aaron F. Babp, father of Rudolph F. Babp, was a native of Forks township, Pennsylvania, and after attaining young manhood followed the quiet but useful calling of agriculture. In connection with this pursuit he was the proprietor of Babp's Hotel, which was a well known resort for many
years, and one of the best conducted houses in that locality. His wife, Mary (Schweitzer) Babp, was born in Falmer township, Northamp- ton county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Fred- erick Schweitzer, and five children were the issue of this union-Rudolph F .; Mary Ann, wife of Benjamin F. Schaffer, Abecina, deceased, who was the wife of Edward C. Beitel ; Edna Emma, and Laura, who died in infancy. Aaron F. Babp died in 1844, and his widow was subsequently married to Charles Hay, one child being born of this marriage, Peter W. Hay.
Rudolph F. Babp was educated in the public schools of Lower Nazareth township and the Moravian parochial school of Nazareth. After completing his studies he learned the trade of harness maker, but he soon abandoned this line of industry for the drug business, which he success- fully followed for twenty years. Since attaining his majority Mr. Babp has been a staunch ad- herent of the principles of Republicanism, and was chosen by that party to the postmastership of Nazareth, in 1869, and by the conscientious and prompt discharge of all duties incumbent upon him retained the office until the autumn of 1885. Mr. Babp was one of the organizers and was ap- pointed president of the Second National Bank of Nazareth, the building for which was erected in 1900, and the bank was officially opened for business in 1901. He was also one of the organ- izers and is now serving in the capacity of vice- president of the Nonpareil Brick and Clay Com- pany. He was actively associated with the laying out of the Greenwood Cemetery, and in company with Mr. Calvin F. Smith donated the land for the public park in Nazareth, which resort has proved a source of pleasure and benefit to the community, and has well repaid the donors for their generosity and philanthrophy.
In 1861 Mr. Babp married Josephine Schaum, a daughter of Samuel Schaum, of Plainfield town- ship, and they were the parents of one child, Adam Frederick, who died at the age of seven months. The death of Mrs. Babp occurred in 1894. The following year Mr. Babp chose for his second wife, Mrs. Amanda L. Lazrus, the daugh- ter of Solomon Dech and, a member of an old
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
Northampton county family, and the widow of the late Rev. George M. Lazrus, a Lutheran clergyman, whose death occurred January 31, 1874. The Rev. George M. and Amanda L. Lazrus were the parents of four sons and one daughter-Jacob W .; Newton C., who died in February, 1903, aged thirty-nine years ; George F., Luther D., and Elizabeth, who died in in- fancy. Mr. Babp is a consistent member of the Lutheran church, and contributes liberally both of time and money to the work of the same and the various societies connected with it.
HARRY E. CLEWELL, now serving in the capacity of justice of the peace at Nazareth, is one of the enterprising, industrious and useful citizens of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and has gained financial success through the exercise of energy, enterprise, and business ability.
Jacob L. Clewell, grandfather of Henry E. Clewell, was a native of Nazareth, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. In early life, he learned the trade of cabinet maker, becoming a skilled mechanic in that line of business, and followed it throughout his active career, meeting with a large degree of success. He was a member of the Moravian church, and a Democrat in his political views. Jacob L. Clewell and his wife, Rebecca Clewell, were the parents of four children-Henry C., Jacob L., Jr., Maria, and Lucinda Clewell. The father of these children died in 1871.
Henry C. Clewell, father of Harry E. Clewell, was born in Nazareth, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1826. His educational ad- vantages were obtained at Nazareth Hall, after which he learned the undertaking business, which he successfully conducted up to the time of his decease, which occurred November 3, 1897. He was a member of the Moravian church, in which he held the positions of trustee and elder. Politi- cally he was a staunch adherent of the principles of the Democratic party, and was elected a mem- ber of the town council and of the school board. He was united in marriage to Eliza Peysert, and the following named children were born to them : William, Caroline, Eugene A .. Charles Henry, Benjamin Franklin, died at the age of four years ;
Robert O., died at the age of sixteen years ; and Harry E. Clewell. Mr. Clewell died November 3, 1897.
Harry E. Clewell, youngest son of Henry C. and Eliza Clewell, was born in Nazareth, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1866, and acquired a good English education at the Moravian parochial school. After completing his studies he entered his father's undertaking es- tablishment and thoroughly learned the details of that business, and subsequently learned the trade of cabinet maker with his brother. He then filled the position of teacher for one year, the following year was employed in the office of the Bangor & Portland Railroad and in 1893 engaged in the in- surance business. He is also largely interested in the buying and selling of real estate. He is the representative of the Hartford, Continental. Na- tional and Agricultural Fire Insurance Compan- ies, the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and the United States Casualty Company. He was elected justice of the peace in 1899, and his administration of the office was so satisfactory to the people that he was re-elected, and is now serving in that capacity. He is a member of the Moravian church of Nazareth, Pennsylvania. He also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
G. A. SCHNEEBELI, a thriving and enter- prising business man of Nazareth, Northampton county, is descended on the paternal side from Swiss ancestry. His father, Adolph Schneebeli, married Amelia Engler, a native of Germany, and in 1868 emigrated with his family to the United States. He settled in Bethlehem, Northampton county, where he engaged in business as a butcher. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: G. A., mentioned at length hereinafter; Lizzie, Bertha, M. W., R. E., and A. L. The mother of these children died in 1894. Some years ago Mr. Schneebeli retired from bus- iness. He is a member of the Moravian church.
G. A. Schneebeli, son of Adolph and Amelia (Engler) Schneebeli, received his early education in Germany. He was still a boy at the time of his parents' removal to this country, and finished his
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
education at a school in Nazareth. He then found employment in the coal region, entering the service of Charles M. Dodson & Co., with whom he remained nine years afterwards being engaged for five years as a traveling salesman. In 1886, in company with Louis F. Kraemer, he organized the Nazareth Waist Company, of Naz- areth. The members, with commendable pru- dence and foresight, began business in a very very moderate way, and gradually enlarged their establishment and sphere of action as cir- cumstances seemed to warrant. They now occupy three large brick buildings, in which six hundred dozen waists are manufactured in a day, giving employment to two hundred people. The propor- tions to which the business has grown and the successful manner in which it is conducted speak volumes for the ability and integrity of the com- pany, which is incorporated, with Mr. Louis Kraemer, as president, Mr. Louis F. Kraemer as treasurer, and Mr. G. A. Schneebeli as secretary and general manager. The last-named member of the establishment, despite the demands of his responsible position, is engaged in various other enterprises in which his sagacity and executive talent appear no less conspicuously. He was one of the organizers of the Nazareth National Bank, of which he is now vice-president. In 1899 he was instrumental in building the Bethlehem and Nazareth Street Railroad, and now holds the posi- tion of vice-president of the company. In 1900 his energies were again employde in the same department of municipal improvement, inasmuch as he assisted in building the Slate Belt Street Railroad, an enterprise with which he is still connected in the capacity of president of the com- pany. He holds the same office in the Nazareth Building and Loan Association, and was one of the organizers of the Nazareth Water Company, and also of the Dexter Cement Company. He is secretary of the board of trustees of Nazareth Hall. It may readily be supposed that so busy a man as Mr. Schneebeli finds little time for social relaxation, but he is, nevertheless, a worthy member of the time-honored Masonic order. He never forgets to be a good citizen, and in political
sentiments and affiliations is a true Republican. He is a member of the Moravian church.
Mr. Schneebeli married, in 1878, Carrie E. Schneider of Loyal Oak, Ohio, and two sons have been born to them : Ellis C., who is a member of the firm of G. A. Schneebeli & Company, lace manufacturers, and Louis F., who died at the age of four years.
SAMUEL R. ODENWELDER, who is now living retired from active business life but is still financially interested in enterprises in Nazareth, has always resided in the Lehigh Valley, and belongs to one of the oldest families of North- ampton county.
Far back in the eighteenth century two broth- ers of the name left their home in, Germany and crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up their abode in Northampton county, where their de- scendants have since been found. John Oden- welder, a son of one of these brothers, was born in Northampton county. The grandfather of Samuel R. Odenwelder also bore the name of John, and his birth occurred in Williams town- ship, Northampton county. He was a very large man, weighing more than three hundred pounds. By occupation he was a farmer, following that pursuit throughout his entire life. In his family were three sons, Daniel, Thomas, and Samucl.
The last named, Samuel Odenwelder, born in Williams township, Northampton county, Octo- ber 30, 1809, was reared on the home farm, and when twenty-two years of age removed to a farm in Bethlehem township, where he continued to reside until death. He filled various local offices, and the welfare of the community was promoted through his practical and progressive efforts in its behalf. His political support was given the Democracy. He became one of the organizers of St. John's church at Farmersville, Pennsylvania, and formerly was a member of St. John's Re- formed church at Easton. He served as deacon and elder of the church at Farmersville, and as- sisted in the building of the house of worship. His wife, Mrs. Mary Odenwelder, was a daugh- ter of Philip and Margaret Unangst, of Williams
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