USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 72
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Joseph Keefer was married in 1866 to Miss Mary Kleckner, a daughter of William and Cla- rissa Kleckner, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and they had six children : George W., born Sep- tember 7, 1866, Sarah A., born August 20, 1868, and Mary A., born August 5, 1873, all yet living,. while John H., Joseph E. and Samuel L. are de- ceased. They also adopted a son Alfred, who was born August 3, 1882. The daughter, Sarah, is the wife of Rev. A. J. Breinig, a minister of the Lutheran church, and they had six children, of whom three are living: Benjamin E., Clarissa A. and Margaret A. Mary A. became the wife- of David Lindaman and they had two children,. both now deceased.
Geo. IN. Keeper
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
George W. Keefer spent the days of his boy- hood and youth upon his father's farm, and was trained to habits of industry, economy and integ- rity. His early education acquired in the com- mon schools at Coplay was supplemented by study in Muhlenberg College and in Blackman's Busi- ness College at Allentown, Pennsylvania, and when he put aside his text books he entered busi- ness life under the direction of his father, who was a contractor for the American Cement Com- pany. In 1897 he was admitted to a partnership by his father, and the business relation was main- tained until the death of Mr. Keefer, Sr., in 1903. The son, George W. Keefer, has since continued as a contractor for the American Cement Com- pany, and does an extensive business in quarrying stone for that corporation. He has been very successful in his labors, and is now one of the most prosperous residents of Coplay.
On the 8th of February, 1886, George W. Keefer was married to Miss Ida M. Wotring, who was born in North Whitehall township, Lehigh county, June 16, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Keefer became the parents of seven children, but they lost two. Those still living are Florence T., born November 24, 1886; Joseph F., born September 27, 1889 : Alice C., born August 28, 1893 ; Wil- liam E., born November 12, 1896; and Bessie M., born June 17, 1900. The family home is the finest residence in Coplay, and is noted for its gracious and warm-hearted hospitality. Mr. Kee- fer is a member of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America, of the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he and his wife hold membership in the Reformed church of Egypt, in which he is now filling the position of treasurer.
GRIFFITH P. ALBRIGHT, deceased, who for many years was engaged in industrial and agricultural pursuits in Allentown and Lehigh county, was the third of the eight children of Phaon and Lucinda (Guth) Albright. John Al- bright, the founder of the family in Montgom- ery county, Pennsylvania, had three children,- John, Susan and Mary. Of these John Albright, the grandfather of Griffith P. Albright, married
Susanna Eisenhard, and they had eight children, the eldest of whom was Phaon Albright. Sam- uel, the second, married Kate Mosser and had six children. Moses married Eliza Schall. John married Ellen Dotterer and had six children. Stephen married Maria Steckle and had two children, Amanda and Elizabeth, the former mar- ried Alfred Snyder and has six children : Edwin, married Greta Reinsmith and has one child; Carrie, the wife of Mr. Horne; Cora, deceased : Mabel, Robert and Mildred. Elizabeth Steckle became the wife of Lewis Pebble and her children are Raymond Pebble, who married, first, Flossie Trexler, and second, Stella Geinheimer ; Minnie and Warren. Mary was the next member of the family of John Albright. Julia Anne is the wife of George Boyer, and has one child. Theresa is the wife of Daniel Schmoyer and has six chil- dren.
Phaon Albright, the eldest son of John Al- bright married Lucinda Guth and had eight chil- dren : Joseph married Miss Everhard and had one child; Ellen is the wife of John P. Dillinger and has four children ; Myra married Samuel A. Butz and has two children ; Jennie married Wins- low Wood and has two children ; George Oscar married Sallie I. Brobst ; and Lewis is deceased.
Griffith P. Albright, son of Phaon and Lu- cinda Albright, was educated in the public schools. He afterward learned the machinist's trade and subsequently became an active factor in the conduct of his father's business, the manu- facture of iron piping. He acted as superin- tendent of the foundry for some time. and was then given an interest in the business. On the death of the father he and his brother George inherited a farm in Lower Saucon township, and Griffith purchased his brother's interest and began farming, continuing in that vocation up to the time of his death. In 1887, however, he retired from the foundry. He had one hundred and twenty acres of land devoted to general farming, and his property returned to him a good income in reward for the care and supervision he be- stowed upon it. In the meantime he purchased a home on South Seventh street, in which he resided until his death, and which is still occupied
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by his widow. His political support was given the Democratic party, and he and his family were members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Albright married Hannah Cleaver, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Hillyard) Clea- ver. Her paternal grandparents were John and Hannah (Focht) Cleaver. Her great-grandfa- ther in the maternal line was Abram Hillyard, and her grandparents were John and Sally Ann (Reihmer) Hillyard, in whose family were ten children. Sabina (1) married David Ettleman and they had three children: Rose, who is the wife of Mr. Bender and has two children, Asher and Cora; Emma, who is the wife of Tilghman Odenwilder and has four children, two sons and two daughters ; and Alfred. Kate (2) is the wife of Hiram Delf, and has one daughter, Celinda, wife of James Armstrong and the mother of one child, Noami. Sarah (3) married Jacob Clea- ver. Matilda (4) married Louenas Knerr and has two children, Mary and Walter. Louisa (5) married Daniel Smith and had six children-Os- car, Sarah, Maggie, Edward, John and Annie. Ella (6) married George Engleman and has three children, Carrie, Mamie and Samuel. Emma (7) married William Laybold and has three chil- dren-Lizzie, Charles and Robert. William (8) married Emma Smetzer and has five chil- dren-Robert, Harry, Jennie, Mamie and Eva. Reuben (9) married Emma Fink and has two children, Alice and Alfred. Susan ( 10) married Thomas Snyder and has three children, Richard, Harry and William.
Jacob and Sarah (Hillyard) Cleaver were the parents of three children : Hannah, now Mrs. Albright ; Kilburn, who married Kate Martz, and has three children, Helen, Catherine and Marion ; and Jacob, who married Emma Schrirer and has six children-Floyd, Raymond, Edward, Susan, Earl and Harold.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith P. Albright are Frank, Sally, Lucy, John and Jo- seph Albright.
WILLIAM G. GROSSCUP, who is now re- tired from active business pursuits and resides in a pretty and comfortable home in Germans-
ville, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, is a great- grandson of Paul Grosscup, who was a member of the constitutional convention which met in Philadelphia on November 24, 1789, and closed February 5, 1790. The other delegates were Jo- seph Heister, Christian Laur, Balzer Gehr, and Abraham Lincoln, who was the grandfather of President Lincoln. Abraham Grosscup, son of Paul Grosscup, accompanied his father to Berks county, Pennsylvania, and they were among the early settlers of that section of the state. Abraham Grosscup attended the common schools adjacent to his home, and then devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits which he followed throughout his active career. He was married, and among his children was a son, Charles Grosscup, father of William G. Gross- cup, who was born on the old homestead in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1816 and died in 1889. At an early age he moved to Heidelberg town- ship, Lehigh county, where he received the edu- cational advantages which were obtainable in those days, and then took up tailoring and aft- erwards farming as a means of livelihood. He was well and favorably known throughout the county, was a Republican in politics, and was the incumbent of a number of township offices. Charles Grosscup and his wife Maria (George) Grosscup, a native of Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania, now deceased, were the parents of the fol- lowing named children: Caroline, Owen, Joseph, Charles, Matilda and William G. Grosscup.
William G. Grosscup was born in Heidelberg township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 17, 1838. He acquired a liberal English education in the common schools of the township, the schools at Mifflinburg, the Millersville State Normal School and the Pittsburg Business Col- lege. He subsequently returned to his home, and his first business experience was gained in the capacity of clerk in a store in his native town- ship. During the period he was thus employed he gained a thorough knowledge of the details of business, and being thus equipped he estab- lished a general mercantile business which he conducted for twenty-five years in connection with the management of a highly cultivated and
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productive farm. Several years ago he retired from active pursuits, and is now enjoying a well earned rest from his labors. For the past nine years he has held the office of justice of the peace, discharging the duties of the same in a highly creditable manner, and throughout his entire ca- reer he has proved himself a worthy and reliable citizen of his native State. At the commencement of the Civil war he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and was assigned to guard duty at several important forts. He was dis- charged from the service of the United States government in August, 1863, having served from November 8, 1862. He attends the Reformed church of his township, and has served as treas- urer for the Heidelberg Reform and Lutheran congregations for several years ; he is a Republi- can in politics, and a member of the Masonic order and the Grand Army of the Republic, in which organizations he takes a great interest.
Mr. Grosscup was united in marriage to Miss May A. Seiberling, a daughter of Joshua Seiber- ling, a prosperous farmer and marchant of Weis- enberg township, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, January, 23, 1866. No children have been born of this inarriage.
AMOS D. SIEGFRIED, a farmer of Han- over township, Northampton county, was born in Moore township of this county, December 24, 1843. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Petty) Siegfried, and the former was born near Bath, Pennsylvania, in 1792, a fact which in- dicates that the family has long been represented in this portion of the state.
Amos D. Siegfried was a student in the public schools in his boyhood days, and entered upon his business career as an apprentice at the coach- maker's trade in Bath, Pennsylvania. His term of service covered three years, after which he worked as a journeyman in Bethlehem, Pennsyl- vania, and in the west. He followed that busi- ness for about twelve years, and then became connected with merchandising interests, conduct- ing a furniture and undertaking establishment for eleven years at Bath. He afterward opened a
summer hotel at Upper Lehigh, which he con- ducted for four years. On the expiration of that period he moved upon the old William Dech homestead in Hanover township, Northampton county, and was there engaged in farming for two years, after which he removed to Catasauqua, where he followed carpentering. Later he con- ducted the Bath Hotel for nearly four years, and was then again connected with building interests for a year in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 1898 he returned to the farm, and is to-day the owner of one of the most beautiful and well developed farming properties in Hanover township, North- ampton county, its extensive improvements and neat appearance indicating the supervision of a painstaking and progressive owner. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and his relig- ious affiliations are with the Lutheran church.
Mr. Siegfried was married in 1869, to Miss Christiana M. Dech, who was born on the old home place, where she now lives, January 9, 1848, a daughter of William and Eliza M. ( Hel- ler) Dech. Her father was born November 19, 1817, and was a son of Jacob and Mary M. (Oberly) Dech. Mr. and Mrs. Siegfried are the parents of two children: Harry Dech, born September 24, 1869 ; and Stella Wilma, born No- vember 17, 1871.
THOMAS M. KLEPPINGER, station agent at Germansville, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, is a man of noble character and sterling worth, a thorough business man, and the success which has attended the various enterprises in which he has engaged has been directly due to industry, perseverance, promptness and thrift. He was born on the ancestral estate in Lehigh township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September I, 1859.
Lewis Kleppinger, grandfather of Thomas M. Kleppinger, was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. Throughout his active career he resided on and operated a farm, which he culti- vated to a high state of perfection. Old records which have been seen by his grandson, Thomas M. Kleppinger, show that he was possessed of
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some education. He married, and among the children born to him was a son, David Klep- pinger ( father), whose birth also occured on the old homestead in Lehigh township, Northampton county, in the year 1823. He received an En- glish education in a school in Belvidere, New Jersey, there being no common schools in Penn- sylvania at that time. He was united in marriage to Lavina Kuntz, a daughter of Joseph Kuntz, and their family consisted of nine children-Jo- seph, James, Jeremiah, George, Louisa, Annie, Sarah, Adina, and Thomas M. Kleppinger.
Thomas M. Kleppinger obtained his early education in the common schools adjacent to his home, and pursued advanced studies at the Kutz- town Normal School, where he was thoroughly qualified for the position of teacher, which he ac- cepted in 1878, and which he pursued successfully for a time. He then turned his attention to farm- ing, and after following this line of work for a short period he took up his residence in Heidel- berg township, Lehigh county, where he accepted a position as station agent at Germansville, which he has filled in a creditable and efficient manner. He is a stanch adherent of the principles of De- mocracy, and since attaining his majority has given his loyal support to the measures and can- didates of that party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Patriotic Order Sons of Amer- ica, and the Railroad Relief Association.
In 1889 Mr. Kleppinger married Lena Peifly, a daughter of Michael Peifly, a prominent farmer of Lehigh county, a man of character and ability and who filled various important local offices. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Klep- pinger-Warren and Clayton Kleppinger. Mr. Kleppinger and his family attend the Lutheran church.
JOSEPH KEEFER, deceased, was numbered among the highly respected citizens of Lehigh county, where he so directed his labors that his energy and ability resulted in winning for him a creditable measure of success, while his honorable dealing gained for him an unassailable reputation. A native of Northampton county, he was born in
Allen township on the 9th of April, 1844, a son of Elias and Lydia (Solt) Keefer. The father was of German descent, but was himself a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. In citi- zenship he was always patriotic and loyal, and he served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812. He was twice married, and by his first union had a daughter Catherine. The children of the sec- ond marriage were Elizabeth, George, John, Jo- seph, Samuel and William.
Joseph Keefer was reared upon the home farm, and attended the public schools to a limited extent, but, as the family were in straitened financial circumstances, it became necessary that he earn his living at an early age, and in his youth he followed various pursuits in order to provide for his own support. For four years he engaged in boating. When fifteen years of age he became a resident of Whitehall township, Northampton county, and not long afterward began learning the blacksmith's trade. Before he had completed his term of apprenticeship, however, the Civil war was inaugurated, and, believing that his first duty was to his country, he offered his aid to the gov- ernment as a defender of the Union, and became a private in the Sixteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. During his term of service, ending in August, 1865, he worked at his trade, but nevertheless participated in a number of im- portant engagements, including the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Petersburg, and many others of lesser importance together with a large number of skirmishes. When the country no longer needed his services he was honorably discharged and again resumed work at the anvil, following blacksmithing for seven consecutive years. In 1871, however, he secured employment at the Hokendauqua fur- nace, where he remained for three years, and while thus engaged his attention became attracted to mining interests and operations and, beginning work in that department of industrial activity, he continued successfully therein for several years. In 1880 he purchased a farm which he operated through the agency of hired help. In 1900 he purchased another farm which he brought under a high state of cultivation. After
Joseph Treefen
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he abandoned mining he turned his attention to quarrying stone under contract for the various cement plants doing business in this part of the state, and in that work he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 13th of April, 1903. He was very successful in the con- duct of all of his enterprises, and accumulated a very desirable competency. Whatever he under- took he carried forward to successful completion, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determined purpose and honorable effort. As his financial resources increased he made judicious investments in real estate, and also became a large stockholder and one of the directors in the Cement National Bank at Siegfrieds, Pennsylvania.
In 1866 Mr. Keefer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kleckner, a daughter of William and Clarissa Kleckner o. Lehigh county. Mrs. Keefer was born near Egypt, Pennsylvania, Au- gust 24, 1845, and was one of a family of eight children, but only two are now living, her sister being Mrs. Eliza Biege, of Coplay, Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keefer were born six chil- dren, but John H., Joseph E. and Samuel L. are now deceased. George W., born September 7, 1866, married Miss Ida Woodring, and unto them were born seven children, five of whom are vet living, namely: Florence T., Joseph F., Alice, William E. and Bessie. Sarah A. Keefer was born August 20, 1868, and is the wife of Rev. A. J. Breining, a minister of the Lutheran church, and of their six children three are living: Ben- jamin E., Clarissa A. and Margaret A. Mary A. Keefer, born August 5, 1873, is the wife of David Lindaman, and they became the parents of two children, but both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keefer also had an adopted son, Alfred, who was born August 3, 1882, and who is one of the rising young business men of Siegfrieds, Pennsylvania, where he is now employed as book- keeper in the Cement National Bank.
Mr. Keefer was a member ci the Grand Army of the Republic at Catasauqua, and also of the Veteran League of Allentown. He held member- ship in the Reformed church of Egypt, Pennsyl- vania, in which he served as elder, and he took an active and helpful interest in all movements
pertaining to the welfare and progress of his community, was loyal in citizenship, faithful in friendship, reliable in business and devoted to the best interests of his family, so that he left behind him an untarnished name.
HENRY F. MARTIN, M. D., of Al- lentown, as a member of the medical fraternity and a representative of the slate industry has for many years been a prominent factor in pro- fessional and manufacturing circles in Lehigh county. Many representatives of the name have followed the profession which was the life work of the progenitor of the family in America. Four of his sons, Jacob, George, Charles and Peter became physicians.
He is descended from Dr. Christian Frederick Martin, the founder of the family in America, who was born in Prussia, December 22, 1737, and was the son of a Lutheran clergyman. He acquired a classical and medical education in Berlin, and soon after his graduation at the Uni- versity of Medicine he came to America in com- pany with the Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg and others, and settled at Trappe, in Montgomery county. He married a Miss Schwatz, the daugh- ter of a clergyman, and entered upon the practice of his profession. By his first wife he has six children: Frederick, who died in Otsego county, New York; John ; Samuel; Elizabeth, who mar- ried a Mr. Egner ; Mrs. Ellen Hartzell ; and Mrs. Mary Dickenshield. The second wife of Dr. Christian Frederick Martin was Mary Miller, and their children were : Andrew ; Jacob, a phy- sician ; George: Charles H., also a physician ; Peter, and Anna, wife of Peter Bright.
George Martin, of this family, studied medi- cine, and about the year 1800 settled in Whit- pain township, Montgomey county, Pennsylva- nia, where he remained until 1814. when he re- moved to Whitemarsh. He practiced there un- til 1850, in which year he became a resident of Philadelphia, making his home in that city until his death, December 8, 1862. He left three sons -Frederick A., Charles and John. The first was a graduated physician of the University of Pen11- sylvania of the class of 1830, and practiced at
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Coopersburg until 1843. In 1850 he retired from his profession and went to Bethlehem, where he remained until 1867, when he became a resident of Philadelphia. His brother Charles prepared for the medical profession in the University of Pennsylvania, being graduated in 1833, but aft- erward became a minister and had charge of St. James Episcopal church in New York city. John, youngest of the three brothers, was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania of the class of 1836, practiced medicine at Whitemarsh, Penn- sylvania, and afterward removed to California. On his return to the east he studied law and prac- ticed at Norristown, Pennsylvania, but later re- sumed the practice of medicine. He died at Mag- nolia, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1872.
Charles H. Martin, son of Christian Frederick Martin, studied medicine with his father, settled in Allentown about 1812, and practiced there un til his death, May 31, 1844. He married Chris- tiana Huber, who died November 26, 1883. Their son, Charles Ludwig Martin, was graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania in the spring of 1841, and, having prepared for the profession, succeeded to his father's practice in 1844. He was married February 20, 1845, to Miss Matilda Detwiller, and had six children : Lucy, wife of Isaac Ash ; Matilda, wife of John Satterfield ; Lizzie C., wife of A. B. Fichter ; Con- stantine ; Charles D. ; and Truman J., who are all physicians ; John Norton, a lawyer; and Wil- liam E.
Peter Martin, son of Dr. Christian Frederick Martin, also became a member of the medical profession and died in 1856.
Jacob L. Martin, son of Dr. Christian Fred- erick Martin, studied medicine with his father and began practice in Allentown about 1790. He served as postmaster from 1805 until 1814, and his death occurred in Allentown in 1834. His wife was Jane Savitz, a daughter of George Savitz, and to them were born ten children : Edward F., Charles H., Tilghman H., Walter, Franklin B., William, Thomas, Mrs. Thomas B. Wilson, Mrs. John W. Horn- beck and Mrs. E. B. Newhard. Two of the sons became physicians. Of these Tilghman, born De-
cember 6, 1809, was graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1831, and succeeded to his father's practice in Allentown. He was an active member of the Lehigh County Medical Society and of the Penn- sylvania State Medical Society. In 1836 he wedded Mary, daughter of Daniel Kramer, and their children were Alfred J., M. Eugene, Dan- iel, deceased; Harvey, Thomas T., Eliza, and Mary.
Dr. Edward Martin, son of Jacob Martin and uncle of Dr. Henry F. Martin, became a physi- cian and settled at Weaversville, Pennsylvania, where he died, leaving a son Walter, who also. became a physician.
Charles H. Martin, father of Dr. Henry F. Martin, was graduated from the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, March 6, 1830, began practice in Allentown and con- tinued therein until his death, in September, 1860. He left three sons who became physicians : Dewees J., Edwin G., and Henry F.
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