USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 63
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Of this number Abraham Long was the fa- ther of our subject. He was born in Mount Bethel in 1808, and was there reared, educated and spent his entire life. By trade he was a
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tailor, and in connection with that pursuit he fol- lowed the occupation of farming, owning a small but well improved tract of land. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Groner, was also a native of Mount Bethel, and unto their marriage were born five children, but Joseph, of this review, is the only one now living.
Joseph A. Long first opened his eyes to the light of day on the old homestead in Mount Bethel, on the 7th of February, 1843. Under the parental roof he spent his boyhood days, and in the public schools of the neighborhood he ac- quired his education, after which he began pre- paration for the responsible duties of a business career by learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed for fifteen years. Owning a small farm, he subdivided these into building lots and placed them upon the market, and already a num- ber of them have been sold to good advantage. There is an electric car line running through the tract, which enhances the value of the property, furnishing residents of the locality with close connection with the city. There has also been built upon the land the plant of the East Bangor Manufacturing Company. Mr. Long was the prime mover in the organization of this com- pany, of which his son, David F., is now manager. The business was organized in 1892, and is a valued addition to industrial circles of the bor- ough. A fact worthy of note is that there stands upon Mr. Long's land a barn, still in a good state of preservation, which is roofed with the first slate quarried in East Bangor, this being taken out by Wiedman, Dietrick & Company, in 1855. In 1893 Mr. Long opened his hardware store, which is well equipped with a large and carefully selected stock of both shelf and heavy hardware. That he has conducted the store thus long is an indication that the venture is proving a remunerative one.
Mr. Long was married in 1865 to Miss Eliza Shook, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Shook: She was born in Mount Bethel in 1843, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children : David F., Martin L., Emma E., Edwin O. and George A. The parents were members of the Lutheran church, which Mr.
Long has served as elder for a number of years. He is not only a leading merchant of East Ban- gor, but has taken quite an active part in public affairs, and is now and has been for several years a member of the town council. He is also a mem- ber of the school board, and he gives a loyal and helpful support to every measure which he be- lieves will prove of benefit to the town or county along material, social, intellectual or moral lines.
JOHN K. DITCHETT, who has served as postmaster of East Bangor since 1897, is a na- tive of Devonshire, England, his birth having there occurred in 1842.
He was reared and educated in his native county, and there became connected with the slate-working industry. Hearing favorable re- ports of business conditions in America, of high prices paid and advancement quickly secured in recognition of ability, he resolved to come to the United States, and, bidding adieu to friends and native land, he sailed for the new world, coming direct to East Bangor, Pennsylvania, where he has since made his home. Here he entered the employ of the firm of Bray & Short, for whom he worked four years. He then removed to Ban- gor, where he resided for seven years, and dur- ing that period was connected with the New Ban- gor Quarry. In 1878 he formed a partnership with several others and leased the slate lands owned by Major Ames and Dr. Gruver, for five years. The partners invested all their capital and themselves labored in the quarry in order to place the business upon a paying basis. The enterprise became profitable, and yet the com- pany lacked means to carry on the work to the best advantage. During the first five years one of the original partners died, and three of them sold out to the other members of the firm. Later, other new members were added, but little finan- cial strengthi was gained. About this time the company leased another property at Pen Argyl, and on application of one of the company the lease was extended on the East Bangor property to ten years. The company did business under the name of the Star Slate Quarry Company, and after strenuous effort the enter-
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
prise became a paying one, the Star slate find- ing a ready sale on the market. As the years passed the business expanded and brought a good financial return to the stockholders. Mr. Ditchett continued in the company until 1896, when he was succeeded by his son John, who eventually sold his interest to the American Company.
Mr. Ditchett married, in Devonshire, Eng- land, in March, 1868, Maria Doidge, and to them was born a daughter, Annie. In 1872 Mr. Dit- chett was united in marriage to Miss Emily Tem- lett, a daughter of John and Jane Temlett, and a native of England, born in 1848. She came to the United States in 1872, and immediately after- ward was wedded to Mr. Ditchett, to whom she had plighted her troth in the mother country, and who was anxiously awaiting her on this side of the water. Unto this worthy couple have been born four children : 1. John, married Bertha, daughter of Ephraim Rutt, and their children are Paul and Waldo. 2. Mary A., married Walter Scott Weiss, of South Easton, who is now de- ceased. 3. Laura J. 4. Lillian. The two last named are deceased. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Ditchett has held the office of class leader, ex- horter, trustee, steward and Sunday-school teacher, putting forth every effort in his power for the advancement of the church and the ex- tension of its influence. Throughout his resi- dence in Pennsylvania, he has so lived as to win respect and confidence, his career being char- acterized by unfaltering industry and integrity.
MILTON TILGHMAN JACOBS OCHS, who was born in Allentown in 1855, attended the public schools and afterward pursued a course in a business college. He later associated himself in business with his father, a well known contrac- tor of the city and mastered the builder's trade in every detail. In 1885 he became his father's partner under the firm style of T. Ochs & Son, and business was thus carried on until 1897, when the father retired, the firm being succeeded by M. T. J. Ochs, who stands to-day at the head of the building industry in Allentown. Many of the best structures of the city stand as monuments to
his enterprise, skill and business integrity, and af this writing ( 1904) he is constructing an eight- story building for the Allentown National Bank -the highest structure in the city. He is notably prompt and energetic in the execution of a con- tract, and his comprehensive knowledge concern- ing the builder's art, supplemented by his fidelity to every trust reposed in him, has gained him the success which has made him one of the substan- tial residents of his native city.
Like his father, Mr. Ochs is a member of the Reformed church and gives his political alle- giance to the Democracy. He is a representative of the social interests of Allentown, being a mem- ber of the Livingston Club, but belongs to no secret organizations.
Mr. Ochs was married to Miss Louise Oppen- lander, of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and they had a family of fifteen children. There has been but one death among the number, and that was occasioned by an accident. The living children are: Katie Susan, Harry Tilghman, Emma Flor- ence, Mattie Matilda, Erie Jacob, Robert Eman- uel, Alfred, Millie, Helen, Susie, Esther, Nan, Frances and Richard.
DR. H. H. WILFORD, of Bangor, Penn- sylvania, who has made for himself an honor- able place in the ranks of his profession, traces his descent from ancestors of English birth. His great-grandfather, George Wilford, a merchant, was much respected and widely patronized. His family consisted of several sons, all of whom be- came worthy subjects.
George Wilford (2), son of George (I), mentioned above, was born in Leicestershire, and was a tailor by trade, being a master work- man. He married Mary Booth, and they were the parents of six children, all of whom emigrated to the United States. Among them were the fol- lowing sons : John B., a mechanical engineer, who invented an apparatus for mining purposes, and is now deceased; George S., mentioned at length hereinafter ; William T., who is a pattern- maker, and a resident of Johnstown, Pennsyl- vania ; and Benjamin, who is an electrician, re- siding in Denver, Colorado.
M. J. J. Ochs
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
George S. Wilford (3), son of George (2) and Mary (Booth) Wilford, on coming, in early life to the United States, made his home in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. He was formerly a merchant, but is now manager for the Chestnut Ridge Lumber Manufacturing Company. He married Mary, daughter of Jacob Stichter, of Tamaqua, and the following children were born to them: Dr. H. H., mentioned at length hereinafter; George A., who was born in 1873; Anna M., who was born in 1877, and is a professional nurse; and Guy, who is deceased. Mr. Wilford, the father, is related through his mother to the famous in- ventor, George Stephenson, in memory of whom he was named.
H. H. Wilford (4), son of George S. (3) and Mary (Stichter) Wilford, was born in 1869, at Tamaqua, as were his brothers and sisters. He received his early education in the common schools of his birthplace, afterward attending the high school, from which he graduated at the age of fifteen with high honors. He then became bookkeeper and cashier for a firm in his native town, a position which served merely as a step- ping stone to advancement in the career which he mapped out for himself. In 1890 he entered the University of Michigan, in which he studied for two years. He subsequently became a student in the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he received in 1893 the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The same year he removed to Bangor, where he began the practice of his profession, and where he has ever since resided, his reputation as a skilled and conscientious physician constantly increasing, and placing him in possession of a large and growing practice. He is examiner for the Metropolitan Insurance Company of New York, the Philadelphia Mutual Insurance Company, and the Security Life An- nuity Insurance Company of Philadelphia. He also holds the position of surgeon for the Amer- ican Slate Company, and the Columbia Bangor Company of Bangor. He is a member of the Lehigh Valley Homoeopathic Medical Society, and the Pennsylvania State Homoeopathic Med- ical Society of Hahnemann. He affiliates with
the I. O. O. F., and also with the Knights of Pythias. He is identified with the Sons of Vet- erans and holds the position of surgeon to the Second Regiment. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Dr. Wilford married, April 19, 1893, Anna B., daughter of John and Mary Fink of Tamaqua. Dr. and Mrs. Wilford are the parents of two chil- dren : Paul and John. 1
CHARLES K. STIER, an enterprising busi- ness man and public-spirited citizen of Bangor, Pennsylvania, is descended from German ances- tors, all of whom, in the successive generations, have rendered good service to their adopted coun- try.
His great-grandfather was a member of the crew of the first privateer engaged in the cause of independence during the Revolutionary war. He settled in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and was the father of a numerous family, all of whom became, in the course of time, good and useful citizens. He was of a noble family, which bore a coat-of-arms. One of his sons, named Jacob, was twice married. By his first wife he was the father of a son, also named Jacob, who was born in Philadelphia, and all his life fol- lowed the potter's trade. That he was a mechanic of a high class is fully proved by specimens of his handiwork which are in existence to-day. He was of an extremely philanthropic disposi- tion, recognizing in his works of benevolence no distinction of race or creed. Politically he was an ardent Demcrat. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Diana Tomer, who was of French extraction, and whose ancestors during the struggle for independence had won distinc- tion as adherents of the crown. Mr. and Mrs. Stier were the parents of the following children : Michael G., William G., Philip F., Charles K., mentioned at length hereinafter; Mary E., Ma- tilda, and Anna. After his marriage Mr. Stier moved to New Jersey, and later to Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He died at the age of seventy- four.
Charles K. Stier, son of Jacob and Diana
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
(Tomer) Stier, was born December 25, 1839, at Springtown, New Jersey. He received his pri- mary education at home, afterward attending school at Mount Bethel. In 1846 the family moved to Pennsylvania and settled at Johnson- ville, where, after leaving school, Charles K. learned the potter's trade under the guidance of his father, becoming an expert at the wheel. In 1865, just before the close of the Civil war, he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he served to the close of the war, at which time he was honorably discharged. Brief as was his period of military service it included at least one memorable event, his regiment having formed part of Sherman's army when that commander received the surrender of Johnston.
On his return to civil life Mr. Stier became a clerk in Easton, Pennsylvania, a position which he held for some years, and then moved to Mount Bethel. In 1875 he removed to Bangor, where he was for a short time engaged in the boot and shoe business, but not realizing his expectations retired, and again took a position as clerk. He then turned his attention to various enterprises, and finally became superintendent for the Bangor Water Company, remaining in this position fif- teen years. He is now collector for the same company. Mr. Stier has played an active part in the political arena, and has frequently been called upon by his townsmen to serve them in positions of trust. He held the office of assessor for three years, and for sixteen years served as town clerk for the borough of Bangor. His long tenure of office is the best proof of his efficiency and trustworthiness. In 1879 he received his commission as notary public, an office which he has since continued to hold, being now one of the oldest notaries public in the state of Pennsyl- vania. He is a charter member of the Grand Army of Republic, affiliating with Albert Jones Post, No. 383. His church membership is with the United Evangelical denomination.
Mr. Stier married in 1874, Helen, daughter of Jacob and Matilda Holland, and they are the parents of one daughter: Anna, who was born in 1877, and was married, June 2, 1903, to Wil-
liam H. Lindeman, a well-known educator, who was for fourteen years principal of the Bangor high school.
FRANK REIMER, an enterprising and worthy citizen of East Bangor, Pennsylvania, is descended from ancestors who were old settlers in Upper Mount Bethel. His grandfather, Peter Reimer, served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and subsequently became a pensioner. He was a farmer, owning about one hundred acres of land. He married Susan Furtchey, and they were the parents of the following children, all of whom were born at Johnsonsburg: William, mentioned at length hereinafter ; Christian, Jacob, Catherine, Sarah, Margaret, and Mary.
William Reimer, son of Peter and Susan (Furtchey) Reimer, was born in 1823, and was a farmer all his life, being the possessor of about eighty acres of well tilled land. He mar- ried Catherine Dutts, a native of Plainfield town- ship, and their children were: Amanda; Peter ; Jacob, who is deceased: Matilda; John; Jose- phine; Frank, mentioned at length hereinafter ; and Harvey. Mrs. Reimer, the mother of these children, died in 1892, and the death of her hus- band occurred in 1895, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reimer were regarded with well-deserved re- spect and affection by all who know them.
Frank Reimer, son of William and Catherine (Dutts) Reimer, was born January 23, 1860, in Johnsonsburg, where he received his educa- tion. In early life he assisted his father on the homestead, and subsequently obtained employ- ment as a teamster, in which capacity he was en- gaged in the transportation of slate. After work- ing for a time in the slate quarry, he purchased in 1886 the East Bangor House, which he remodeled and refurnished, making of it in all respects a first class hotel. It has a capacity for accommo- dating twenty-five guests, and all its appoint- ments are such as to afford the greatest possible comfort and convenience. As the proprietor of this hotel Mr. Reimer has achieved a signal suc- cess by reason of a marked degree of executive ability, genial manners and an obliging disposi-
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tion. The reputation which he has established is of long standing, and is beyond dispute. The demands incident to his position leave him little time for social intercourse, and he holds member- ship in no fraternal societies with the exception of the Improved Order of Red Men, with which he affiliates, and in which he is regarded with deserved esteem.
Mr. Reimer married, in 1889, Miss Maggie Hertunzog, and they are the parents of one son, Robert, who was born in 1890, and is now ( 1904) receiving his education in the East Bangor school.
DR. BENJAMIN F. DILLIARD, a leading physician of East Bangor, Pennsylvania, is de- scended from German ancestors who were among the early settlers of Moore township, Northamp- ton county. His great-grandfather emigrated to the United States, and in due course of time made his home in this township, where his son Conrad acquired a large tract of land which is now divided into three farms. The family of Conrad Dilliard consisted of ten children, who are now all deceased with the exception of one daughter who is a resident of Ohio.
Joshua Dilliard, son of Conrad Dilliard, was born in 1820, near Petersville, in Moore town- ship. His occupation was that of a tailor, and he was acknowledged to be a superior workman. He married Hester, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Deiter, and their children were: Alavesta, Diana, Susanna, Mary A., Rebecca, Richard C., John A. and Benjamin F., mentioned at length hereinafter. With the exception of the three last named, all these children are now deceased. Mr. Dilliard, the father of the family, died in February, 1867, and his wife survived him exactly nine years, her death occurring in Feb- ruary, 1876.
Benjamin F. Dilliard, son of Joshua and Hester (Deiter) Dilliard, was born in 1855, in Butztown, Bethlehem township, where he re- ceived his early education in the common schools. After a preparatory course of study he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Balti- more, from which he graduated in 1881 with
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then moved to Chapman's Quarry, where he entered upon the practice of his profession, and in 1882 became a resident of East Bangor, where he has since remained. Events speedily demonstrated his peculiar fitness for his chosen calling, each succeeding year having enlarged the circle of his patrons and added to his reputation as a scientific, skillful, and thoroughly highminded physician. He is examiner for the following life insurance companies: Northwestern, Penn Mutual, New York, New York Mutual, Prudential, and Aetna.
Notwithstanding the absorbing nature of his professional duties and his strict devotion to them, Dr. Dilliard is never unmindful of his obligations as a citizen, and is ever ready to re- spond to the utmost of his power to the appeals of his townsmen. He was the first chief burgess, and served for ten years as a member of the schoolboard. He received from President Cleve- land the appointment of postmaster, and held the office during the first administration of that chief magistrate. He is president of the Bangor and Portland Traction Company, and was one of the promoters of this road. He is a director in the First National Bank of Bangor, and a director in the Bangor Light and Power Com- pany. He is a member of the Northampton County Medical Society, and the State Medical Society. He affiliates with Bangor Lodge, No. 565, A. F. and A. M., and also with Bangor Chapter, R. A. M. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Independent Order of Red Men, and the Modern Woodmen.
Dr. Dilliard married, in June, 1880, Hannah E., daughter of Gideon and Christine Bartholo- mew, and they have one son, Herbert C. He was born in 1881, and graduated from the high school of East Bangor, the State Normal School of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and the Lehigh University. In the last named institution he served for one year as instructor in civil en- gineering. He was civil engineer for East Ban- gor when that borongh put in its waterworks, and superintended the construction of the East Bangor and Bangor Street Railway; also that
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
of the Bangor, Portland and Delaware River Street Railway, and was the contractor and builder of the waterworks for the city of Middle- town, New York. Mr. Dilliard's career, rich as it has hitherto been in results, is regarded by all who known him as giving promise of still greater achievements in the future.
PHILIP LA BARRE, the founder of the slate industry in Bangor, Pennsylvania, was de- scended from Huguenot ancestors who were forced by religious persecution to fly from their native land. They found a refuge in the new world, the first member of the family concerning whom we have an authentic record being Daniel La Barre, who was a farmer in Upper Mount Bethel. He married Elizabeth Hess, and they were the parents of the following children, all of whom became good and loyal citizens: Con- rad, mentioned at length hereinafter ; Henry, William, Sarah, Susan, Rebecca, and Charles.
Conrad La Barre, son of Daniel and Eliza- beth (Hess) La Barre, was born in Upper Mount Dethel township. He was a shoemaker by trade, and a superior workman. He married Hannah Stone, of Upper Mount Bethel, and their family consisted of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, namely: Peggy A., Reuben, Philip, mentioned at length hereinafter; Mary, Daniel, Jeremiah, Josiah, John C., Jesse, and Abraham. Of this number Mary, Daniel, Josiah, and John C. are living. Mr. La Barre, the father of this large family, lived to an advanced age and died respected by all who knew him.
Philip La Barre, son of Conrad and Hannah (Stone) La Barre, was born in 1832, on the old homestead, in Upper Mount Bethel. In 1850 he moved to Uttsville, afterwards named New Village, now known as Bangor, and pur- chased the farm upon which is situated the "old Bangor quarry." He was also the owner of another farm in Upper Mount Bethel. In addition to his agricultural labors, which he prosecuted with energy and success, he plied in winter the trade of a cooper, and in summer en- gaged in the manufacture of bricks. He was a
man of versatile talents, and never lost an oppor- tunity of enlarging his sphere of action. In 1866 he opened the Old Bangor Quarry, situated in what was then known as New Village Postoffice, known now as the borough of Bangor, the borough having taken its name from this quarry. After operating the quarry for a short time, he disposed of it on advantageous terms to Dr. Scholl and Messrs. Samuel Straub and R. M. Jones. He subsequently built the American Hotel, of which he was for several years the pro- prietor. In sinking a well on this property he discovered, by a singular coincidence, another vein of slate, which he developed into the "Wash- ington quarry." While in all respects a stirring business man, Mr. La Barre never allowed him- self to become unmindful of his obligations as a citizen. He was warmly interested in every- thing relating to the public welfare, and con- sented to serve in several borough offices, among. them those of tax collector, member of council, street supervisor, and others. He sought to advance the real estate interests of the city, and was the builder and owner of nearly all the houses situated in Washington street. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran church, to the support of which he contributed largely. He was, more- over, a liberal donor to all the churches of Ban- gor, his benevolence not being limited by de- nominational boundaries.
Mr. La Barre married, in 1862, Sophia Gulick, and the following children were born to them: I. Angelina ; 2. Lizzie J .; 3. Mary C .; 4. James U. ; 5. Luther E. ; 6. Carrie B. ; 7. Rose L. ; 8. William F. : 9. Gertrude M .: 10. Charles E .; II. Clark P. Mrs. La Barre, the mother of these children, was a daugliter of John and Susan Gulick, natives of Monroe county, Pennsylvania. They moved to Washington township, Northamp- ton county, where Mr. Gulick engaged in farm- ing. About 1843 he removed to Bangor, and spent the autumn of his life in retirement. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyter- ian church. He was known as the largest con- tributor towards the building of the Presbyterian church of Bangor, and was also a very liberal con-
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