USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 68
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C. a. Bachman D.L.S.
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
in 1885 purchased his present property, where he has since conducted an excellent business on straightforward, upright principles. He has a large store in which he carries a full line of car- pets, oils, paints and wall paper, situated at the corner of First and Iron streets. Mr. Bayer owns the block, including not only his store rooms, but also the Lehighton Opera House. The building is erected of brick, and is one of the best structures of the borough. Mr. Bayer also owns the dwelling in which he resides, and he is a farsighted real estate speculator whose good judgment has been proven in a number of impor- tant realty transactions, in which he has taken part.
In 1885 Mr. Bayer was united in marriage to Miss Louise Schwartz, who was born in 1862, and to them were born seven children : Aloysius, Frank, Charles, William, Alfonze, Cecelia and Joseph. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Bayer is a mem- ber of the St. Joseph Society. With his wife he visited Germany in 1888 in order to see his mother, and spent many pleasant hours renewing the associations of his youth and early manhood amid the scenes in which his childhood days were passed. He is, however, a most loyal citi- zen of his adopted country, having a sincere and patriotic love for the stars and stripes. He came to America with no capital save strong determi- nation and indefatigable courage, and through his inherent force and character, his earnest pur- pose and consecutive endeavor, he has made for himself a place among the successful business men of Lehighton.
T. A. SNYDER, of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, the impress of whose individuality has been felt in educational and legal circles, and whose sagac- ity and keen discernment concerning existing conditions in the business and material world have been manifest in the promotion of important busi- ness enterprises, stands as the foremost represent- ative of the Lehigh valley. His influence has not been a minor element in the promotion of many movements that have contributed to the general welfare, and he has attained to prominence
through the inherent force of his character, the exercise of his native talent, and the utilization of surrounding opportunities. His professional career has excited the admiration and won the re- spect of his contemporaries, yet it is not this alone that entitles him to rank as one of the prom- inent men of his day in the Lehigh valley. His connection with the public interests of Lehighton has been far-reaching and beneficial, for he has aided in promoting the educational, aesthetic and moral development of the borough. His labors have been felt as a stimulating influence in the substantial upbuilding of his county, and in the unfolding of an educational purpose, the effects of which are manifest in the high standard of the schools of the county to-day.
Mr. Snyder was born in Stroudsburg, Mon- roe county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1857, and is of French, Holland, English and German lineage. While this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain his an- cestors came to the new world. His paternal grandparents, George and Elizabeth (Emery) Snyder, were natives of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and for many years owned a large farm on the Delaware river, near what was then known as Snyder's ferry, but is now called Hart- zell's ferry. Sometime after their marriage they removed to Monroe county, where their remain- ing days were spent. Their children were John E., William, Theodore M. and Joseph C. Snyder.
John E. Snyder, the father of T. A. Snyder, was a native of Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, and in his youth became familiar with agricultural pursuits while assisting his father in the operation of the home farm. In early man- hood he removed to Stroudsburg, where he engaged in contracting and building, and for five years he was connected with service in the courthouse at that place. The growth, progress and development of the community were matters of much interest to him, and many movements for the general good received his hearty cooperation and support. He died February 28, 1903, at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away on the 28th of July, 1888, at the age of fifty-seven years.
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She bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Utt, and was also a native of Pennsylvania, born in North- ampton county. Her grandfather, Adam Utt, emigrated from Holland to America, but was of French descent. He served as a colonel under Benjamin Franklin in the French and Indian war, and during the Revolutionary war, he was a noted Indian fighter and scout. His services were in constant demand as guide because of his knowledge of the country and the customs of the red men, and he frequently conducted parties of travelers through the wilderness districts of Penn- sylvania. His family numbered six sons, one of whom was Elias Utt, the grandfather of Mr. Snyder. He became the founder of a general store at Bangor, Pennsylvania, which town was formerly called Uttsville, and was the early pro- moter of business activity in that borough. He married Miss Elizabeth Butz, and to them were born the following children: Rebecca, Hannah, Francis E., Eliza, Catherine, Adam, Jacob, Ro- bert and Ella A. It was the daughter of Elizabeth who became the wife of John M. Snyder and the mother of T. Allen Snyder. Both branches of the mother's family trace their ancestry to two noted governors of Pennsylvania.
T. A. Snyder was the eldest of three children, two sons and a daughter. His early education was acquired in the common schools of Strouds- burg, and he completed the high school course there under the direction of Professor B. F. Morey. He then entered the normal school at Millersville, Pennsylvania, in which institution he was graduated on the completion of a scien- tific course, and thus he was well fitted for future usefulness in his chosen career. For a number of years he devoted his attention in undivided manner to educational work, and at the early age of sixteen was employed as teacher of a grammar school in his native city. In 1877 he arrived in Lehighton, and received favorable introduction to the citizens of the borough through Dr. Brooks, of Philadelphia. Here he entered upon the work of teaching, and in 1877 he was called to the office of principal. His term of service covered two years, and at the head of the schools of
Lehighton he gave entire satisfaction through ca- pable service and progressive methods.
Following his retirement from office, Mr. Snyder returned to Stroudsburg with the determ- ination to make the practice of law his life work. To this end he began reading in the office and under the direction of Hon. John B. Storm, and in 1883 was admitted to the bar of Monroe coun- ty. He did not at once, however, become an active factor in the work of the courts, but re- sumed his labors as an educator, returning to Lehighton, where he was once more principal of the schools for two years. On the expiration of that period he was elected county superintendent of schools of Carbon county, in 1885, for a term of three years, and thus became the youngest incumbent in an office of that character in the entire state. That the concensus of public opinion was favorable is shown by the fact that he was twice re-elected, serving for nine consecutive years, during which time satisfactory progress was made in various lines of educational activity in connection with the public school system of the county. Zealous and able in his advocacy of the work of the schools he put forth strong and effective effort for their advancement. His inter- est in educational work has never faltered, and he has gained more than local reputation in this con- nection. He has been three times elected
a member of the executive committee of the State Teachers' Association, and was once its chairman. He took an active interest in institute work during his connection with the schools, and in educational ranks he attained an enviable posi- tion, being recognized as one of the leading edu- cators of the state. Methods and improvements which he instituted in Lehighton and Carbon county still continue potent factors in the success- ful conduct of the schools, and have been elements in advancing the educational system here to its present high standard.
During his incumbency in the office of county superintendent, Mr. Snyder also gave some at- tention to the practice of law, and continued his reading, and upon his retirement from the posi- tion or county superintendent in June, 1893, he
1
"COLONIAL COURT," RESIDENCE OF T. A. SNYDER. (FRONT AND SIDE VIEWS.)
INTERIOR VIEWS OF RESIDENCE OF T. A. SNYDER.
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
at once opened a law office and entered upon a professional career at the bar that has been satis- factory and profitable. He has a good law library and a handsomely appointed office. His clientage has steadily grown in volume and importance, and he stands to-day as one of the strong and able members of the Carbon county bar, possessing a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, and handling with ability and pre- cision the intricate questions which continually confront the lawyer. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness, intuitively grasping the strong points of a case and presenting the facts and the reasoning thereon so cogently and logi- cally that he seldom fails to win the verdict de- sired. He is the solicitor for the Building and Loan Association of Leighton, for Enterprise Building and Loan Association, No. 2, for the Lehighton Building and Loan Association and the Lehighton Building and Loan Association, No. 2. In 1903 he associated with him as an assistant attorney Charles A. Hauk, and they have established three offices, one at Weatherly and one at Mauch Chunk, in addition to their home office at Lehighton. His wise counsel and keen business discernment have proven important factors in the successful control of a number of business enterprises of importance. He is the secretary of the Lehighton Land Company, and is attorney for the Chestnut Ridge Railroad. He was also one of the prime movers in the organi- zation of the Mauch Chunk, Lehighton and Slat- ington Street Railroad Company, of which he has since served as director. Their line is noted as one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the country. Mr. Snyder has also made judicious investment in real estate and is the owner of several large farms beside other valuable pro- perty.
Mr. Snyder was married December 22, 1879, to Miss Emma Hauk, a daughter of John and Sarah Hauk, of Lehighton. They have two chil- dren : Raymond J. and Edith M. The son, a graduate of Lafayette College with the class of 1903, successfully and creditably passed the state examination and is now pursuing the study of law as a student in the office of Snyder & Hauk. The
daughter is a graduate of the National Park Seminary of Washington, D. C. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder hold membership in the First Presby- terian Church of Stroudsburg, and are now iden- tified through membership relations with the First Presbyterian Church of Lehighton. Mr. Sny- der was one of the organizers of the Clover Club, a leading social organization of Lehighton, of which he is now the president. He has fraternal relations with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Knights of Malta. while his political allegiance is given to the Dem- ocratic party, and he is active in county and state affairs.
In 1900, accompanied by his wife and daugh- ter, he made an extensive trip to Europe, visit- ing various countries on the continent as well as Great Britain, and viewing many scenes of modern as well as of historic interest. The family home is accounted the most beautiful residence in the three counties embraced in the Lehigh valley. It was the state building of Michigan at the Pan- American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, and was purchased by Mr. Snyder, who had it re- moved to its present location in 1903. It is both a model and a marvel of architectural skill and me- chanical genius, and in its adornments and em- bellishments indicates the refined and cultured taste of the family. At this point it would be almost tautological to enter into any series of statements showing the professor to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but there are, as dominating elements in this individuality, a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity which, as taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, have naturally gained for him the respect and confidence of men.
PAUL NIEHOFF, a well known and pros- perous business man, conducting an extensive flor- ist establishment on South First street, Lehigh- ton, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, is a man who thoroughly understands his chosen calling, having
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served a long apprenticeship to the trade in his native country, Saxony, Germany, where he was born in the year 1868. His parents are Gustave and Anna Niehoff, representatives of families high in influence in Germany. His father occu- pied a prominent station in life, having been tax receiver for the German government, representing that government when taxes and moneys were to be received.
The schools of his native country afforded Paul Niehoff a liberal preparation and training for his active career, which was intended to be devoted to the practice of medicine, but prior to his matriculation in college his eyesight was dis- covered to be defective, and his chosen line of work was abandoned. He then turned his at- tention to his present business, which is well suited to his tastes and inclinations, and after thoroughly acquiring a knowledge of all the de- tails and particulars of this pleasant vocation he embarked for the new country beyond the sea, accompanied by his wife. They located in Weiss- port, Pennsylvania, after residing one year in Baltimore, Maryland, with but twenty-five cents in capital to start with. Nothing daunted, they went to work, and by perseverance and industry they have succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations. In 1897 he removed from Weiss- port to Leighton, and purchased the ground on which his own buildings are now erected, these covering an area of several acres. His plant is now worth ten thousand dollars, and is rapidly increasing in value. He has fifteen thousand feet under glass, and makes a specialty of carna- tions and bedding plants, handling about seven thousand carnation plants in the spring, besides other plants in proportion, and his stock is in demand in whate, er section he sends out repre- sentatives. He produces the choicest flowers and plants of all kinds known to florists in a northern climate. Mr. Niehoff is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Germania Sangerfund of Le- highton, his voice being well adapted to taking the part of tenor. He has taken part in festivals in New York, Philadelphia and elsewhere. He takes an active interest in all that pertains to the uplifting and development of the borough in
which he resides, and is a worthy and public- spirited citizen of his adopted country.
Mr. Niehoff was united in marriage in Ger- many, August 27, 1891, to Miss Mary Wille, a native of Germany, and their children are: Mary, Frederick, Paul, Margaret and William. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
HENRY R. BITTNER, the popular pro- prietor of the Bittner Hotel, situated in Weiss- port, Carbon county, is one of Pennsylvania's native sons, his birth having occurred in Slating- ton in 1873. His paternal grandfather was Henry Bittner, whose ancestors came from Holland to the new world when civilization was first being planted in American soil. Amandus Bittner, the father of Henry R. Bittner, was for many years a well known hotel proprietor, fol- lowing the business for three decades, and during much of this time he conducted what was known as the New Bittner House. He married Mi s Sophia Krause, and they became the parents of seven children, five of whom are now living, as follows: Oscar, Oliver, Alfred, Victor and Henry R.
In the place of his nativity Henry R. Bittner was reared, and his boyhood days were largely spent as a pupil in the common schools. He also became familiar with the hotel business during his youth, his father conducting the hotel at Slat- ington. After he had attained his majority he assisted actively in the same field of labor, and became proprietor of the New Bittner Hotel of Slatington, which he conducted with marked success for five years. In 1901 he purchased his present property in Weissport, and removed to this borough. Having spent many years in the business, he is well qualified by experience and thorough understanding of the public demands to cater to the wants and necessities of his patrons. He has one of the best equipped hotels in this portion of Pennsylvania, and can accommodate about thirty-five guests with every comfort of bed and board. Upon purchasing the hotel pro- perty in 1901 he thoroughly remodeled and re- novated it from cellar to garret, and its attract- ive appearance and pleasant cuisine, accompanied
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with the gentlemanly deportment of the host, have won favor for the house and gained the approval of its many guests.
In 1894 occurred the marriage of Mr. Bittner and Miss Amanda L. Kaster, of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. Iney became the parents of four children, of whom three are living: Richard H., Joseph, Mary, and an infant daughter. Mr. Bittner is a member of Lehighton Lodge, No. 621, F. and A. M., and also of the Improved Order of Red Men, and his social qualities and strong personal characteris- tics are such as have won him the friendly regard of his brethren of these fraternities.
DR. JACOB E. LONGACRE, physician and surgeon of Weaversville, Pennsylvania, was born in the town of Longacre, in Schuylkill county, July 20, 1870.
His paternal grandfather, Jacob Longacre, (I), was born at Black Rock, Montgomery coun- ty, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1800. His fa- ther, Jacob S. Longacre (2) was born in North Penn, Schuylkill county, May 26, 1843. He pur- sued his early education under private instruction in his own home, and later attended Freeland Seminary at Freeland, Pennsylvania, after which he engaged in teaching school for two terms, and then learned the tanner's trade. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Sixtieth Regi- ment Illinois Volunteers, and was with General Sherman on the March to the Sea which proved that the strength of the Confederacy had been drawn from the interior to defend the border. In 1866 he returned to Pennsylvania and was mar- ried. The following year, in connection with his brother-in-law, W. H. Kisler, he purchased the old Kisler tannery, which they conducted to- gether for many years. Mr. Longacre was a justice of the peace for ten years and and also filled the position of notary public. He was mar- ried in 1866 to Lovina H., a daughter of David Kisler, and they had eight children : Sallie, Mary J., Hattie I., Edwin D., Minnie, Jacob E., William S., and Alice L., who died in infancy.
Dr. Jacob E. Longacre pursued a college pre- paratory course in the State Normal School at
Kutztown, after which he engaged in teaching for three years, and during that time he had am- ple opportunity to form an unbiassed opinion in regard to a profession which he wished to make his life work. His choice fell upon the practice of medicine and surgery, and that he made no mistake in his selection in shown by the success that has attended his efforts. He entered the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania and was graduated from the medical department with the class of 1894. Since that time he has practiced continuously in Weaversville, where he now has a large patron- age. He is a member of the Lehigh, Northamp- ton County and State Medical Societies. So- cially he is affiliated with the lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, and is also a noble of the Mystic Shrine. Religiously, he is a Lutheran, and politically, a Republican.
Dr. Longacre was married November 10, 1896, to Miss Cora A. Barrall, a daughter of Dr. A. Barrall. She was born in Danielsville, North- ampton county, in 1874, and died July 14, 1901, leaving a daughter, Hilda M. B., who was born October 2, 1897, but survived her mother only un- til December 8, 1901.
JESSE KECK was the son of Solomon and Margaret (Knause) Keck, in whose family were ten children, Jesse being the eldest of the sons. The others are as follows : Daniel, who married Abbie Sager, and had six children ; Moses, who married Tillia Dubbs, and has six children ; Solo- mon, who married Matilda Hartman, and has five children ; William, who married Celia Romig, no issue ; Edwin, unmarried ; Hannah, who was the wife of John Erdman, and had ten children ; Annie, who was the wife of Enos Erdman, and had four children-three sons and one daughter; Eliza, unmarried; Louisa, who was the wife of John Ochs, and had one child.
Jesse Keck, the eldest child of Solomon and Margaret (Knause) Keck, married Judith M. Ubroth, and they became the parents of six chil- dren-two sons and four daughters-I. Aravesta, wife of Milton Appel, and mother of two children -Charles and Ida. Charles Appel married Tilly Grim and has two children-Charles
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
and May Appel; Ida Appel became the wife of William A. Hausman, and their children are : William A., Frederick A., Jessie, wife of the Rev. J. J. Schindle, and mother of two children, Mary and Isabel Schnidle; Margaret, unmarried. 2. Emeline, who died unmarried. 3. Elenora, wife of Thomas S. Kern, and mother of three children-Frank K., who married Minerva Butz, and had one daughter, Miriam; both Mr. and Mrs. Kern are deceased; Harry, who married but they live apart, and have one daughter, Hazel ; Grace, wife of J. Peter Grim, and mother of two children, Nora and Luther Grim. 4. Jane I., wife of II. J. Schwartz, and mother of six children, two sons and four daughters, Lilly J., who died in infancy; Jacob J., who married Gertrude Hen- dricks, deceased, leaving one son Henry J. Jacob J. married for his second wife Louisa Denninger, to whom was born one child, now deceased ; Ulys- ses S., unmarried : Mary A., wife of Dr. A. N. Miller, and mother of three children-Austin, Edna and Marion Miller ; Estella I., wife of James F. Fry, and mother of six children-four sons and two daughters-Bertha H., Clifford, de- ceased ; Harold, Lloyd, Margaret and Marion Fry : Jennie E., wife of J. I. Seigfreid, and mother of one son, Freibus Seigfried. 5. Adam J., who married Amanda Cope, and they were the parents of two daughters-Minnie (deceased), wife of George W. Hunsicker ; and Mattie, unmarried. 6. Josiah S., who married Maud Snyder, and had one child, a daughter, deceased.
HIRAM S. SHIMER, a capitalist of Allen- town who for three decades was a merchant in . this city, was born in Shimersville, Pennsyl- vania, in 1838, a grandson of John and (Van Buskirk) Shimer. His parents were Charles B. and Anna (Schantz) Shimer, and his brothers, both his junior, are Alexander S. and Lewellyn, the former not active in business inter- ests in Allentown. The former married Lizzie E. Bieber, and the latter married Clara Everhart. Lewellyn Shimer has two children, Howard and Harry.
Hiram Shimer began his education in the public schools, and after mastering the common
branches of English learning entered the Allen- town Academy for more advanced mental train- ing. He completed his education in that institu- tion and then accepted a clerkship in a store in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, where he remained1 for three years. Since 1862 he has resided contin- uously in Allentown, where he was connected with the general store of Shimer Brothers until 1873. In that year he joined Mr. Owen H. Laub, in a partnership under the firm style of Shimer & Laub, and they opened a carpet store, with which Mr. Shimer was connected for thirty consecutive years, at the end of which time he retired, his son Joseph becoming his successor. The firm handles all kinds of shades, draperies and floor coverings, and theirs is one of the oldest stores in the county and the largest in this line, the stock of goods occupying five floors. Mr. Shimer, although retired from active connection with business affairs, is still a director in the Lehigh Valley Trust Company.
In public affairs he is progressive, and his co-operation has proved an active factor in many measures for the general good. He votes with the Republican party, and is a member of the Lutheran church. He married S. Emma Witt- man, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Kern) Wittman. In her father's family were seven children : Jane, Emma, Agnes, the wife of Jacob Farr ; Amanda, who is the wife of David Bently, and has two children; Fannie, the wife of Dr. Erdman Thomas, who has been married twice ; and Albert, who is also married. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Shimer has been born one son, Jo- seph Paul, who succeeded to his father's mercan- tile business. He married Martha Dutt, now de- ceased, and they had two children, Madeline and Harry.
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