USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 61
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DR. EDWARD JACOB FREEMAN, who for many years was engaged in the practice of medicine in Northampton county, but is now su- perintending private business interests, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1851, his parents being Dr. George W. and Matilda (Seip) Freeman. His paternal grandparents were Jacob and Susan (Butz) Freeman. The village of Freemansburg was named in honor of the family. The family had its origin in Eng- land, and representatives of the name emigrated to this country in the early part of the seven- teenth century, and they owned considerable land in Bethlehem and Lower Saucon township.
Dr. George W. Freeman was born in 1832. He obtained his early education in the public schools of Freemansburg and of Bethlehem, and afterward continued his studies in a private school conducted by Professor Vandeveer, at Easton, Pennsylvania, where he prepared for col- lege. In 1849 he entered the University of Penn- sylvania, but previous to this time he read medi- cine under the direction of Dr. C. C. Field of Easton, who was his preceptor for threee years. He was graduated from the University of Penn- sylvania, in 1852, and then returned to Freemans- burg, where he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, being thus engaged up to the time of his death, which occurred May 16, 1898. He was prominently connected with the North-
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ampton County Medical Society. He married Matilda Seip, a daughter of Edward Seip, of Easton, and their marriage was blessed with four children, of whom Edward Jacobs is the eldest, Mary Ellen, the second, is the wife of G. W. Bachman, and they have five children : Estella, Jennie, Ralph, Laura and Roland. Walter S., who is a practicing physician of Philadelphia, married Jane Unangst, and they have four chil- dren : Eugene, Mabel, Edith and George. Emma Adelia, the youngest child of George W. and Matilda (Seip) Freeman, died in infancy.
Dr. Edward J. Freeman, who was born in Easton, December 18, 1851, attended the public schools in his early youth, and afterward became a student in the Swartz private academy at South Bethlehem. He next entered Lehigh University at Bethlehem, where he remained for a year and a half, and in the winter of 1869 he matriculated in the University of Pennsylvania as a student in the medical department, and was graduated with honors in the class of 1873. Having thus become well prepared for the responsible duties of his profession, he took up his abode in Free- mansburg, and associated himself in practice with his father, being thus engaged until 1877. The business relation between them was then dis- solved, and Dr. Freeman of this review began practicing alone. He continued the work of ministering to the needs of suffering humanity until 1898, when he put aside the cares of the medical profession in order to give his super- vision to his investments and private business interests.
Dr. Freeman is an active worker in the Rc- formed church and has been closely identified with its progress and development. The only secret order with which he is connected is Huldal- Lodge, No. 364, Knights of Pythias. He married Miss Emily J. Knecht, a daughter of John Knecht, of Shimersville, now deceased. Her mother bore the maiden name of Eliza Reigel, and by her marriage had four children, namely : I. Arabella, who married Dr. J. J. Detweiler, by whom she has six children-Elizabeth, William, Fred, Albert, John and Edith. 2. Emily, the wife of Dr. E. J. Freeman. 3. Howard, who married
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Laura Walters, and has two children-Laura and John. 4. Anna, who completes the Knecht family. To Dr. and Mrs. Freeman have been born four children, but Anna Elizabeth is the only one now living, the others having died in infancy.
LEWIS SHARPS BIXLER, a director in the National Novelty Company of New York, located at 826-28 Broadway, New York city, also serving in the capacity of general manager of the branch business located at Freeemansburg, Pennsylvania, where he is well known and influ- ential resident, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1864. He is a representative in the present generation of the old and honored Bixler family, the earliest ancestor of whom there is any authentic record having been Christian Bixler, Sr. (great-great-grandfather), who was a man of prominence and influence in Berks county, Pennsylvania, was the owner of a large amount of real estate, and also owned and operated ex- tensive grist and saw mills.
Christian Bixler, Jr., (great-grandfather) was born in Breakneck township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1765. He was a silversmith and clockmaker by trade, and in 1785 estab- lished a business in Easton which proved a profit- able source of income throughout the active years of his life, and since his demise has been conducted in the same locality by his descendants. In those early days the knives, spoons and other articles of ware were manufactured from the raw material, and a number of the tall wall sweep clocks manufactured by Christian Bixler are still to be found in the homes of the older inhabitants of that section of the state. He also conducted an extensive milling business on the present site of Kuhler's Brewery, this mill being one of the first erected on the banks of the Delaware river in this section, and being very successful in the management of both these enterprises he was enabled to accumulate a large amount of real estate. He married Catherine Opp, daughter of Jacob and Anna Maria (Hoffman) Opp, the former named having been an extensive land owner, a man of great influence in the commun- ity, and the proprietor of an inn which was lo-
cated on the present site of the Central Hotel in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Daniel Lewis Bixler (grandfather) was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1801, and during his boyhood days he entered the sil- versmith and jewelry establishment owned by his father, where he thoroughly learned the trade, and later succeeded to the business which he con- ducted in connection with various other enter- prises, among which was a hardware store and saw mill. Daniel L. Bixler and his wife, Elouise (Douglas) Bixler, were the parents of the fol- lowing named children-Adelia Douglas, widow of Jacob Shimer Butz; Alonzo, deceased ; Rush Heintztena, father of Lewis S. Bixler ; Caroline Amelia, wife of Lorenzo Wilson ; Floyd Smith ; Christian Willis: Lewis Edward; Georgiana, wife of Milton J. Shimer, of Bethlehem. Mr. Bixler was an active member of the Lutheran church, in which his wife also held membership, and in politics he was a firm Democrat. Ben- jamin Douglas, father of Mrs. Bixler, was born in Edinborough, Scotland, in 1770, a son of Ben- jamin Douglas, who came to this country in 1772. Deborah (Post) Douglas, wife of Benja- min Douglas, was a daughter of John Post, who was born in New York in 1740.
Rush Heintztena Bixler (father) was born in Easton, Pennsylvania. After acquiring a com- mon school education he learned the trade of jew- eler with his father, and this line of industry he followed both in the western section of the United States, where he resided for a number of years, and in the city of Easton, Pennsylvania. Mr. Bixler married Sallie Robins, who bore him the following named children-I. Lewis S., men- tioned at length in the following paragraph; 2. Frank, who married Sallie Small and they are the parents of one child, George Bixler : 3. Willis, who married for his first wife Tillie Knipe, who bore him two children-Florence and Ada- after her decease he married Sadie Jones ; 4. Walter, who married Carrie Crader and two children are the issue of this union-Ethel and Margaret Bixler : 5. Elouise, wife of Harry Van Billiard, and their family consists of two chil- dren-Lewis and Ruth Van Billiard ; 6. Edward,.
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who married Hope Campbell and they are the parents of one child, Elouise Bixler ; 7. Russell, who died in early life.
Lewis S. Bixler, eldest son of Rush H. and Sallie Bixler, attended the public schools of Easton, and by diligence and close application to his studies completed his education at the age of fifteen years. The following threee years he served an apprenticeship at the trade of ma- chinist with the firm of William Shimer Son & Co., of Freemansburg, Pennsylvania, later was promoted to the position of foreman, which he capably and efficiently filled for ten years, and subsequently received the appointment of general superintendent, which position he occupied until his resignation in 1899. In that year Mr. Bixler entered into partnership with C. A. Jones, Esq., and they established a foundry for the manufac- ture of iron toys, grey iron castings and iron novelties. This was continued until 1901, when the firm was incorporated as the Jones & Bixler Manufacturing Company, and from the date of incorporation Mr. Bixler was the president and general manager. In July, 1903, the Jones & Bixler Company was merged into the National Novelty Company of New York, and since that date he has been a director in the company and general manager of the Freemansburg branch of the business. In religion Mr. Bixler adheres to the doctrines of the Lutheran church, and in poli- tics is a staunch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is an honored member of the Royal Arcanum and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Bixler married Sybilla Reigle, a daugh- ter of Thomas Reigle, and four children have been the issue of this union-Raymond, Linda, Willard and Harold Bixler.
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CHRISTIAN SPEER is one of the old re- liable citizens of Bangor, having been a resident of the borough when it was a mere hamlet called Uttsville. He is a descendant of John and Bar- bara (Sebold) Speer, both of whom were natives of Germany and crossed the Atlantic on the same vessel. They were married on this side the Atlantic, and made their way to Pennsyl-
vania, choosing Upper Mount Bethel, North- ampton county, as the place of their residence. John Speer was a weaver by trade, and followed that vocation throughout his entire life. Both he and his wife were worthy people who com- manded the respect of all who knew them, and both died at Mount Bethel at an advanced age. Their family numbered ten children, seven of whom are yet living, and three of the number are yet residents of the Lehigh valley, namely : Chris- tion, Louis and Mrs. Hannah Weaver.
Christian Speer, the youngest son of the fam- ily, was born in Upper Mount Bethel in 1835. In early manhood he followed the miller's trade for about five years, and then turned his attention to merchandising, but in the interim he had removed to Monroe county, Pennsylvania, where he en- gaged in driving stage for eight years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Bangor, where he established a store, his place of business being on Market street, where for ten years he enjoyed a large and constantly increasing busi- ness. As the years passed he added continually to his capital until, having acquired a comfortable competence, and sold his store, he retired from business life and is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil, his income being sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities and. many of the comforts which go to make life worth the living.
In 1856 Mr. Speer was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Bartholomew, of Upper Mount Bethel. Seven children have been born unto them, of whom four are living: Mary Walton, Martha Flory, Emery and William. Mr. Speer has held the office of councilman in the borough of Bangor, and has always taken a helpful in- terest in the progress of the town along lines of material upbuilding and social, educational and moral improvement, and he is regarded as one of the substantial citizens.
DR. JOHN WALTER SHUMAN, the lead- ing dentist of Bangor, is a native son of Penn- sylvania, his birth having occurred in Bath, Jan- uary 10, 1876. His parents, Charles and Amelia R. (Straub) Shuman, a daughter of Samuel
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and Mary ( Miller ) Straub, born October 6, 1843. were also natives of Bath.
The father, born in 1841, was reared and edu- cated in Bath, and there learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for about five years. In 1871 he was selected to take charge of the Old Bangor Quarry, the position however to be only a temporary one, but he gave such satisfaction in the management of the enterprise and conducted it with such ability that he has continued in charge up to the present time, covering a period of thirty-two consecutive years. He now has the oversight of the entire property, and is also superintendent of the West Bangor and Bangor Fidelity quarries. He likewise has a very large interest in the Globe Hard Vein and the White Oak quarries at Eidleman, Pennsylvania.
In 1863, when the divided opinion concern- ing the slavery question caused some of the southern states to attempt secession, resulting in a long and bitter war, he volunteered as a private in defense of the Union, and was enrolled as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fifty- third Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, for nine months service. He took part in the battles of Gainesville and Chancellorsville, and others of minor importance, and on the expiration of his term of service was honorably discharged, but re- enlisted, this time becoming a member of Com- pany G, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Regi- ment of Pennsylvania Infantry. With this com- mand he was engaged in the fierce battle of Get- tysburg and in other severe conflicts, remaining with the army until the close of the war, when he was again honorably discharged.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shuman were born four children: 1. Minnie, who was born March 9, 1868, and is now the wife of Howard A. Wor- man, by whom she has had three children, Jean; Carl, died in childhood ; and Clair; 2. Annie, who was born February 5, 1870, and is a gradu- ate of the Hagerstown schools ; 3. John W., of this review ; 4. Helen, who was born August 6, 1884, and is a graduate of Blair Hall. The fam- ily is well known in Bangor. Mr. Shuman is one of the pioneer slate men of the city, and has a wide and favorable acquaintance in the slate
belt, where he is recognized as a man of sterling worth and of strict integrity in all trade relations.
Dr. Shuman began his education in his native town, and subsequently attended the Moravian school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. When he had completed his literary course he entered upon preparation for the dental profession as a student of the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, and on completing the regular course was grad- uated in that institution with the class of 1895. The same year he opened an office in Bangor, and entered upon what has proved a very suc- cessful career as a practitioner. He has an office splendidly equipped, and the high grade of his work shows that he is thoroughly informed con- cerning the most approved modern methods. He is a member of Bangor Lodge, No. 565, F. and A. M .; Bangor Chapter, No. 274, R. A. M .; Hugh De Payens. Commandery, No. 19, K. T., of Easton, Pennsylvania : Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S., of Bloomsburg, and Lulu Temple, A. A. O. M. S., of Philadelphia.
On October 25, 1900, was celebrated the mar- riage of Dr. Shuman and Miss Rose E. Pritchard, a daughter of Hugh and Ellen Pritchard, of Bangor. She is a most accomplished lady, and after graduation in the high school of Bangor she became a teacher in the public schools, and was recognized as an instructor of considerable merit. Dr. Shuman and his wife enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city, and en- tertain splendidly in return.
DR. H. STRAUB SHERRER is one of the leading young physicians of his native city, Bangor, Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 27th of October, 1875, a son of William C. and Mary A. (Straub) Sherrer.
The father was born in Rieglesville, New Jersey, and the mother near Bath, Pennsylvania. Mr. Sherrer is one of Bangor's well known citi- zens, having been in connection with the old Bangor quarry for thirty years, and thus a repre- sentative of industrial interests. For the last six years he has been its general manager, and in this capacity controls the largest quarry in the state. He is also a director of the Merchants
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National Bank of Bangor, and is one of the rep- resentative men of the city. His devotion to the general welfare and his excellent qualifications for office have occasioned his selection for a number of positions of public trust and responsi- bility. He has served as chief burgess, as coun- cilman and as a member of the school board, and has ever exercised his official prerogatives to se- cure advancement along lines of permanent good to the greatest number. Little is known concern- ing his ancestry, save that they were worthy farming people of New Jersey.
There are, however, authentic records con- cerning the Carpenter family, from whom Dr. Sherrer is descended in the paternal line. Joseph Carpenter was of English parentage, and in com- pany with a Joseph Zimmerman, of German parentage, he purchased a tract of land consist- ing of three hundred and fifty acres, the date of the purchase being April 15, 1745. This land was located near Carpentersville, New Jersey, a town named in honor of the family. This Joseph Carpenter was born in 1720, and after attaining manhood he married Elizabeth Foreman. In 1764 they became the parents of a son to whom they gave the name of Abraham, and who, after reaching adult age, wedded Ann, the daughter of George Nice. She was born in 1771, being seven years her husband's senior. Their children were Joseph, George, Isaac, Margaret and Elizabeth, the last named being the great-grandmother of Dr. Sherrer.
The Straub family, from whom Dr. Sherrer is descended in the maternal line, is of Dutch ex- traction. His grandfather, Samuel Straub, was born near Bath, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and for a number of years conducted a hotel, but later in life engaged in merchandising. He bought goods at a low figure prior to the Civil war, but at the time of the war prices were greatly advanced throughout the country, and he was thus enabled to realize a handsome profit on his investment. In 1868, in connection with others, he purchased land in the neighborhood of Bangor, and devel- oped what is known as the Old Bangor Slate Quarry, of which he personally took charge, act- ing as its superintendent up to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1884. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Miller, and their children were George, Christian, Susan, Ara- vesta, Amelia and Angelica. The father of Sam- uel Straub was Christian Straub, a tailor by trade and a most worthy man.
Dr. Sherrer was reared in Bangor, and at the usual age entered the public schools, in which he continued his studies until he had grad- uated from the high school. After a thorough preparatory course he entered Lafayette College in 1892, spending four years in that institution, in which he was graduated in 1896 with high honors. Immediately afterward he entered the Medical University of Pennsylvania at Philadel- phia, completing the course there with the class of 1899. The same year he entered upon the work of the profession as a practitioner of the regular school, and has since secured a large patronage in Bangor, where his skill and merit soon won recognition, his capable efforts indicat- ing his broad knowledge concerning the principles of the medical science.
In September, 1901, Dr. Sherrer was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Le Fevre, the daughter of David F. and Sarah J. More, and September 2, 1902, a daughter was born to them to whom they gave the name of Elizabeth Car- penter. Dr. Sherrer and his wife have many friends in Bangor, and are favorably known in the leading social circles of the city, while in professional circles he also has a wide acquain- tance, being a member of the County and State Medical Societies, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Medicine.
WILLIAM H. MESSINGER, the president of the Bangor Lumber Manufacturing Company, of Bangor, Pennsylvania, is a representative of an old family of that name that was established in Washington township, Northampton county, at a very early period in the development of this portion of the state. The family is of German origin, and from the fatherland came the pro- genitors of the family in the United states. George Messinger, the grandfather of our sub- ject, removed from Washington township to New
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Jersey, and later he went to the west, where his last days were passed. Unto him and his wife, Susan Messinger, were born the following named : Simon, Theodore, Zachariah, George, Edward, Peter, Miles, Levi, and Susan. Most of the sons followed agricultural pursuits, but all have now passed away with the exception of Miles and Zachariah.
Simon Messinger, the father of William H. Messinger, was born in Washington township, Northampton county, in 1833, and died in the year 1901, when about sixty-eight years of age. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade ,and continued to follow that pursuit throughout his entire life. He was also interested in agricultural pursuits, having land which his sons cultivated. He owned two farms, one comprising one hun- dred and three acres, while the latter comprised sixty acres. Mr. Messinger was an expert me- chanic, and in the line of his trade did an exten- sive and prosperous business. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Lavina Wilhelm, of Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, and unto this union eight children were born : William H., George, Isaiah, John, Herbert, Flora, Anna and Lucinda. The mother of these chil- dren is still living, being a resident of Bangor, Pennsylvania.
William H. Messinger was born in washing- ton township, in 1868, and under the parental roof he spent his boyhood days, pursuing his education in the common schools. The first busi- ness enterprise with which he was connected was that of farming, but subsequently he turned his attention to painting, and followed that pursuit for several years. His residence in Bangor dates from 1889, since which time he has been con- nected with the industrial interests of this city, and has won for himself an enviable position in business circles. He is now the president of the Bangor Lumber Manufacturing Company, manu- facturing doors, sash, blinds, etc., as well as deal- ing in all kinds of building materials. This busi- ness was established in 1890 by the firm of Flory, Walter & Company, and in 1895 it was incor- porated under the present style, its officers being William H. Messinger, president ; Isaiah Mes-
singer, vice-president ; and S. R. Walter, secre- tary. The plant covers about two acres of ground, and the buildings are thoroughly equip- ped with the latest improved machinery to fa- cilitate the work. A large number of capable workmen are employed, and the company does a large manufacturing business and also en- joys an extensive trade ,in building materials.
In 1895 Mr. Messinger was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Beck, a daughter of R. and Matilda Beck. She was born in 1878, and by her marriage has become the mother of three interesting children: Carl, Hilda, and Delbert. Mr. Messinger has held the office of school di- rector, and is deeply interested in the cause of education and in the advancement of the city along other lines of progress and improvement. He belongs to the Junior Order of United Amer- ican Workmen, and is a young man of marked enterprise, who throughout his business career has displayed sound judgment and unfaltering loyalty to the highest commercial ethics.
TILGHMAN OCHS, who as a contractor and builder has contributed in large measure to the improvement and development of Allentown, traces his ancestry in America back to the year 1747, when A. Mathias Ochs and his wife Rosina Schmenk came to the new world. They had a large family of children, including Jacob Ochs, who married Susan Boehm. They were the pa- rents of eight children: Mary, Charles, Jacob, David, Jessie, John, Philip, and Susanna. The last named became the wife of Aaron Buckecker, and is living at this writing in 1904.
Jacob Ochs, Jr., the father of Tilghman Ochs, was born in Northampton county, and after ar- riving at years of maturity married Sarah Nagle, a daughter of Jacob Nagle. She died in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1859, hav- ing survived her husband. They were the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters: Charles (deceased) who married Wilhelmina Miller, by whom he had two children, and made their home in Northampton county ; William and John, who have passed away; Tilghman ; Mary, the wife of Benjamin Klechner, by whom she
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has two children; Jesse, who married Amanda Hoppe, who has seven children ; John, who mar- ried Ellen Albert and has seven children; and Sarah Jane the wife of William Lutz.
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