USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 76
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and business men carried their products and wares to market by wagon. Among those who visited Philadelphia for this purpose was Peter Moyer, already mentioned, and in carrying the communications between mother and daughter he became intimately acquainted with both of them, which acquaintance in subsequent years resulted in the marriage of the daughter to Peter Moyer. The marriage took place January II, 1823, in the church at New Tripoli, then called Ebenezer church. Here the couple settled with the deter- mination to become useful citizens in the com- munity, and engaged in farming.
By the thrift and energy of Peter Moyer he became a prominent citizen in the community, serving as supervisor of the township for nine years, in connection with the certain other of- fices which he held. In later years he became en- gaged in the distilling business, which he car- ried on from 1830 until within a year of his death. Even in those early days one of the enterprises in which the people of the community were en- gaged was the distilling of applejack, which is continued extensively to this day.
In connection with their business pursuits Peter Moyer and his wife also took an active in- terest in church matters, serving almost continu- ously in the various offices connected with the church. Their christian spirit was further shown by their adoption of a number of homeless chil- dren whom they reared in connection with their own large family. The wife survived her hus- band almost twenty years. There were born to them thirteen children, the oldest of whom was Gideon Moyer, the father of the subject of this sketch. The other children were Adeline, Caro- line, Esther, Amelia, William, John Peter, Ben- neville, Henry, Owen, Noah, Nathan, and a son who died in infancy. Of these seven are still living-Esther, Amelia, John Peter, Benneville, Noah, Owen and Nathan.
Gideon Moyer, the oldest son, was born Sep- tember 22, 1824, on the farm at New Tripoli, and from his early years was engaged in work- ing on the farm, the advantages for education being then very limited. He married Jane Amanda Smith, a daughter of Abraham and
Hormoner
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Amelia (Seiberling) Smith. The Smith family was also of early settlement in that vicinity. There were besides Mrs. Moyer eight children : James H., William Jackson, Phaon Abraham, John David S., Charles Wellington, Thomas E. Smith, Amelia, and Sarah Catherine Drumbore. .
Shortly after the marriage of Gideon Moyer he purchased his father-in-law's farm near Lynn- ville and engaged in farming and operating the grist-mill and saw-mill in the village until 1868, when he sold out his interests in Lynn township, with the desire of engaging in more active enter- prises, and moved to Allentown. Here he estab- lished a store on a small scale, and shortly there- after purchased a property and built a store house thereon, at the corner of Ninth and Chew streets. By his energy and close attention his business increased from year to year, and it became neces- sary foi nim to provide a more extensive place of business, and he purchased the property at the southeast corner of Sixth and Gordon streets, where he erected a large three story store build- ing, where he continued the business for many years.
To this family were born three children : Julius A. Moyer, Elias Moyer ( who died at the age of six years), and William P. Moyer. Gid- eon Moyer died November 2, 1904, at the age of eighty years, and his wife preceded him in death, August 24, 1899, aged seventy-one years. The two sons from early boyhood assisted their fa- ther in the store, in connection with which they en- gaged in the cigar business, and by reason of ad- vancing years of the father he discontinued the store business and joined the sons in the cigar business, which they carried on extensively.
William P. Moyer was born May 2, 1859, and attended the public schools of the city only to the age of twelve years, thereby securing a knowledge of the rudimentary branches of edu- cation, assisting his father in the store business during this time. He then learned the trade of cigar making with Jacob Mann, and when in his fifteenth year started in the business for himself, manufacturing cigars, and at the same time as- sisting his father in the store until he was twenty- one years of age. His desire for a more active
career and also for the benent of his health, which 'by close confinement to the manufacturing busi- ness was failing, led him to accept the position of traveling salesman for Julius Vetterleinx & Co., of Philadelphia, and from that time on was actively engaged as traveling salesman for seven years, at the same time continuing his manufac- turing business. After having established his cigar manufacturing business on a large and pay- ing scale, his activity led him into more enter- prising pursuits, and he began to deal in real estate, purchasing vacant lands in the then north- ern part of the city. These tracts he cut up into building lots and erected houses thereon. Be- ginning on a small scale and selling the houses as they were completed, he bought other and larger tracts, and carried on extensive building operations, and the development and improve- ment of the northern part of the city is largely due to his energy and enterprise. Purchasing a tract of thirty-five acres which was then in the outskirts of the city, selling lots and erecting houses thereon, in the course of five years he has practically succeeded in building up the entire tract, thereby increasing the valuation and popu- lation of the Tenth ward to almost double what it was prior to this purchase. In his building operations he has erected upwards of two hun- dred houses, for which he has always found a ready market, and it may be said that his success in this line is largely due to the taste which he displayed in the architecture of the buildings and their convenient arrangement. He also erected for himself on North Sixth street one of the finest residences in that section of the city.
During all this activity he has found time to concern himself about municipal affairs, having served in common councils for two years and in select councils for four years, thus showing an active interest in politics, being under his con- victions a stanch Republican. Charity has also not been lost sight of by him. From the incep- tion of the Allentown Hospital he took an active interest in its promotion, was one of the first trustees, served as one of the building committee and his large experience in this line aided greatly to the development of the fine structure erected :
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served as trustee for a number of years. He was one of the promoters of the Merchants' National Bank, and a director since its organiza- tion. In this connection it may also be men- tioned that in all his active career he has not lost sight of church matters. From his early years and from the influence bestowed upon him by his parents he has been a member of the United Evangelical church, which he served as trustee for sixteen years, and the fine edifice known as "Seibert Church," at the corner of Ninth and Liberty streets, is one of the monuments of his building operations. He has also not lost sight of social affairs, holding membership in the or- der of Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Friendship, and the Livingstone Club.
He was married February 25, 1878, to Miss Mary J. Holtzinger, a daughter of John and Ro- sina (Long) Holtzinger, the latter being a daugh- ter of Jacob Long. Mrs. Moyer was one of a family of seven children, namely: I. Charles, who married Josephine Hendricks, and their children are: Annie, Laura, Rosie, Charles and Raymond. 2. Rosie, who became the wife of Rev. J. M. Rinker, and their children are : Charles, Rollin, Homer, kalph, Edith, Ruth, Alma and Verna. 3. Anna, who became the wife of George Fry, and their children are : Trueman, Reba, Mabel, and Emily. 4. Mary J., wife of William P. Moyer. 5. Lizzie, who became the wife of John Wolf, and they are the parents of one child, Bessie. 6. George, who married Iona Zellner, and their children are: John, Helen and Lillian. 7. William, who married Lottie Yeakle, and their children are : Evelyn and Dorothy.
Julius Moyer, brother of the subject of this sketch, was married to Anna Schell, daughter of Rev. John Schell, and had four children : I. Howard, who is intermarried with Rebecca Christ. 2. Arthur. 3. Robert, who died at the age of twenty years. 4. Amy, who died at the age of eighteen months.
Three children were born to William P. Moyer and his wife: I. Estella, who died at the age of three years. 2. Elsie Jane, who is living with her parents. 3. One who died in infancy.
In all his activity Mr. Moyer believes in enjoy-
ing the fruits of his labors. He has always taken an interest in driving a fine pair of horses, and within the last year has taken to the automobile, and sports one of the finest Knox machines, acting as his own chauffeur. In proper season he is frequently seen in his hunting outfit. He enjoys a day's hunting with friends as one of his favorite pastimes.
DR. PALMER M. KERN, one of the lead- ing physicians of Bath, Northampton county, is a representative of one of those old families who, by the combined influence of high station and exalted character, have done so much toward the rearing of the social and political fabric of Penn- sylvania, both as a province and a state.
Nicholas Kern, the progenitor of the race in the new world, was the original owner of five hundred acres of land, upon which the greater portion of the town of Slatington now stands. He held the land under patents given by the pro- prietors, the heirs of William Penn, and dated November 24, 1737, and March 15, 1738. One of his descendants was Colonel Nicholas Kern, who was born April 1, 1760, and married Maria Barbara Ollwine, who was born October 2, 1761. Their children were: Magdalena; Jacob, men- tioned at length hereinafter ; Charles, and Eliza- beth. The death of Colonel Kern occurred July 15, 1829, and that of his wife March 29, 1836. The former is buried at Stone Church, and the latter in the old graveyard in Bath.
Jacob Kern, son of Nicholas and Maria Bar- bara (Ollwine) Kern, was born February 14, 1790. In 18II he received a lieutenant's com- mission from Governor Snyder; in 1814 was made a colonel by Governor Findley, and on August 3, 1821, was commissioned by Governor Joseph Heister as colonel of the Twenty-sixth Regiment of Militia of Pennsylvania, his com- mand comprising the counties of Northampton, Monroe, Lehigh, Pike and Wayne. He was also commissioned colonel by Governor Andrew Schuyler in 1825. The originals of these various commissions are now in the possession of his de- scendants. He was the intimate friend and political adviser of George Wolf, who was in
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1829 elected governor, his elevation to the chief magistracy of the state being accomplished more by the influence of Colonel Kern than by that of any other one man. In 1835 Colonel Kern was elected by the people of Pennsylvania to the office second only to the highest in their gift, be- ing placed in the chair of the lieutenant-governor. He married Mary, daughter of George Palmer, in honor of whom Palmer township was named. Colonel and Mrs. Kern were the parents of two children: George Palmer, mentioned at length hereinafter; and Elizabeth. Colonel Kern died March 25, 1837, and his wife passed away Feb- ruary 26, 1851.
George Palmer Kern, son of Jacob and Mary (Palmer) Kern, was born December 17, 1817, and received his education at the well known school presided over by Dr. Vanderveer at Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He studied medicine with Dr. John C. Mulhollan, of Bath, and after- ward attended a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. For one year he practiced his profession at Weissport, Carbon county, and then went to New York, where he received in 1842 from the University of New York the degree of doctor of medicine. He then settled in Breinigsville, Lehigh county, where for nine years he was actively engaged in the du- ties of his profession. In 1851 he came to Bath and formed a partnership with his old preceptor, Dr. Mulhollan. When, in 1854, this connection was dissolved by the death of Dr. Mulhollan, Dr. Kern succeeded to the practice of his venerated instructor, thus enlarging his own already ex- tended circle of patrons. In 1866 he opened a drug store in Bath, which he conducted in con- junction with his practice during the remainder of his life. He held the office of county physician, and was a trustee of the Norristown Insane Asylum. Notwithstanding that Dr. Kern was before everything else the studious, diligent and earnest physician, placing fidelity to professional duties above every other consideration, he yet found time for activity in other spheres, and was never neglectful of his obligations as a citizen. He consented to serve as a member of the town council, and manifested his practical interest in
the cause of education by holding the office of school director. His political affiliations were with the Democratic party. He was a member of the County Medical Society. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, affiliating with Mano- quesy Lodge, No. 413, in which he held the office of past master, and attained the Knight Templar degrees. He was also an Odd Fellow. He was a member of the Reformed church.
Dr. Kern married, January 3, 1845, Anna Maria, daughter of Peter and Mary Ann (Brunk) Breinig. The former was a son of Peter, and a grandson of Ludwick Breinig. Mrs. Kern was born September 4, 1826, in Lehigh county. Dr. and Mrs. Kern were the parents of three children : Mary Alice, who was born March 20, 1846, and died January 18, 1892 ; Palmer M., mentioned at length hereinafter; and William Henry, who was born March 31, 1856, and died October 31, 1860. March 20, 1889, Dr. Kern closed his long career of usefulness and benev- olence, leaving a void not only in the domestic and social circles but in the community in which he had for so many years practiced with inde- fatigable zeal and enlightened skill the duties of his arduous and beneficent calling.
Palmer M. Kern, son of George Palmer and Anna Maria (Breinig) Kern, was born September 20, 1851. He received his primary education in the public schools, afterward attending the Free- land Seminary, and studying at Muhlenberg Col- lege. Deciding to devote himself for life to the practice of medicine, he pursued his studies under the guidance of his father and Dr. Breinig. For seven years he was engaged in his father's drug store, meanwhile attending lectures in Jefferson Medical College, and in 1876 began practice with his father, the connection continuing unbroken until the death of the elder Dr. Kern in 1889. In that year the son succeeded to the proprietorship of the drug store, in addition to the practice which had ere this passed into his hands. At the end of a year and a half he moved to Denver, Colorado, where he remained two years, and then returned to Bath. Here he has since resided in the old home, winning with the lapse of each suc- ceeding year fresh honor as a learned, skillful
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and highminded physician. He succeeded to his father's place on the board of trustees of the Norristown Insane Asylum, and also served as a member of the board of health. By allowing himself to be elected a member of the town council and by holding the office of school direc- tor Dr. Kern has proved that he inherits the pub- lic spirit as well as the professional zeal of his father. He is a member of the Masonic order, affiliating with Manoquesy Lodge, No. 413, A. F. and A. M., in which he is a past master.
Dr. Kern married, October 26, 1876, Viola Augusta, born January 13, 1854, in Bath, daugh- ter of Samuel Myers. Dr. and Mrs. Kern are the parents of one daughter, Mary Myers, who was born January 16, 1879, and was educated at Eas- ton and Denver, afterward attending Bethlehem Seminary. Her musical education was received in Philadelphia, and she is now distinguished for her attainments as a vocalist. November 2, 1904, she was married to George B. Mauser, superin- tendent of the Mauser Milling Company, Treich- lers, Pennsylvania, where they now reside.
MAJOR MORRIS L. KAUFFMAN, whose conservative genius made him one of the build- ers of Allentown, could without invidious dis- tinction be called one of the foremost citizens of the Lehigh Valley. His strong intellect, keenly analytical and trained in the severest school of reason and investigation, made him a distin- guished lawyer. His recognition of industrial and commercial conditions led to his co-operation in the establishment of many enterprises of mag- nitude and profit. His life was at all times dom- inated by an unselfish interest and the desire for the greatest good to the greatest number. A friend and professional associate said that his life was best epitomized in the words "He was a lover of his kind, and by his kind beloved."
Major Kauffman was born in Allentown, June II, 1848, his parents being Franklin E. and Anna S. Kauffman. He represented one of the old families of this city, for his father was born here and was for many years engaged in the real estate business in Allentown. He died about twenty years ago, but his widow still survives. In his
early boyhood days Major Kauffman was a stu- dent in the Allentown Academy, then conducted by Professor I. U. Gregory. Later he attended the Highland Military Academy of Massachu- setts, and following his graduation from that in- stitution matriculated in the Hudson River Insti- tute, where he completed a course, as he also did in Claverack College of New York. His de- sire to become an active member of the bar led to his enrollment as a law student in the office of Robert E. Wright, Sr., of Allentown, and when he had largely mastered the principles of juris- prudence he successfully passed an examination, thus securing his admission to the Lehigh county bar on the 4th of April, 1870. Major Kauffman remained an active member of the profession from that time until death, although in recent years he divided his energies between his legal interests and various industrial and commercial pursuits. No dreary novitiate awaited him at the bar, for he soon demonstrated his ability suc- cessfully to cope with the intricate problems of jurisprudence. He ever presented his cause in the strong clear light of common sense and in- disputable logic.
In 1882 he entered into a law partnership with E. H. Reninger, under the firm name of Kauffman & Reninger, and it was not long be- fore they won a distinctively representative client- age, their business connection being maintained until 1897, when Mr. Reninger retired in order to give his undivided attention to his duties as secretary and treasurer of the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company. Mr. Kauff- man was the owner of one of the largest and most complete law libraries of the city, and at the time . of his death his offices comprised a luxuriantly furnished suite of rooms in the Commonwealth Building. As a lawyer he was rather the advo- cate than the pleader. In the formulation of a case, the application of correct legal principles, the marshalling of facts in proper and logical sequence, a thorough appreciation of details, a knowledge of precedents and decisions bearing on the case, and the ability to present it in a plain, clear, convincing and concise manner before judge and jury, he was particularly successful,.
ThEF Grondt .. .
Mouis Skaufmann
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GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS.
and occupied a commanding position before the bar and the public. His greatest achievements rest upon his ability as a corporation lawyer, and in that capacity he was identified with some of the most noteworthy cases ever tried in this county.
As his financial resources increased with his success at the bar, Major Kauffman made exten- sive and judicious investments in real estate, whereby his annual income was largely increased. He was perhaps best known to the public, how- ever, as the promoter of many and varied business enterprises which contributed in large measure to the welfare, progress and upbuilding of the city. He manifested keen discrimination in the control of all his business enterprises with which he was associated, and his excellent foresight and recog- nition of material possibilities enabled him to secure for Allentown many important productive concerns which have been the basis of its modern prosperity and growth. At the time when a de- pression in the iron industry threatened the con- tinual enlargement of the scope of Allentown's undertakings, Mr. Kauffman, recognizing the critical point in the commercial history of the city, became a leader in business affairs and gave a new impetus to business activity, the beneficial result of which the city is yet enjoying. He was the leader of the movement to make Allentown a city of diversified industries, and was a member of the original committee that went to Paterson, New Jersey, to interview the leading members of the Phoenix Manufacturing Company, securing the erection of a silk mill in this city. It was his individual check for fifteen hundred dollars, given as a pledge of good faith before any money was subscribed by the citizens, that secured for Allen- town the magnificent industry now known as the Adelaide Silk Mill. This was but the first forward step made in the commercial development here, for other silk mills were soon afterward in- duced to locate in Allentown and throughout eastern Pennsylvania. Major Kauffman was likewise instrumental in securing the establish- ment of the Iowa Barb Wire Mill. and the Allen- town Spinning Company. Of the last named he was a director at the time of his death. His
business discernment and sound judgment proved integral factors in the successful conduct of many other business enterprises, and he served as a member of the directorate of the Allentown Gas Company and the Bethlehem Silk Company, as well as of the Allentown National Bank. He was one of the organizers of the Allentown Steam Heat and Power Company, and acted as its trus- tee for a number of years. He was likewise one of the organizers of the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and from the be- ginning was its trust officer, and re- mained such until the time of his death. He was one o the promoters of the Lehigh Valley Traction Company, which later absorbed the Allentown & Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company and its underlying corpora- tions. He served as its first attorney, and later as director of the following, and of a number was the president : The Allentown & Lehigh Valley Traction Company, the Bethlehem & Allentown Street Railway Company, the Bethlehem and South Bethlehem Electric Railway Com- pany, the Allentown Passenger Railway Company, the Manhattan Park & Hotel Company, and the Catasauqua & Northern Electric Railway Company. In his later
years he was especially interested in the In- ternational Incandescent Light Company, and acted in the capacity of local president. He was, probably a stockholder in more business enter -. prises than any other resident of Allentown, and. it was usually his aid that was first sought when it was desired to establish a new industry in the city. He had rare business acumen, and: as a rule was very successful in his investments. His judgment became recognized as so safe and reliable that the public generally regarded his name in connection with any business concern as a guarantee of its worth and successful prospects, His opinions were accurate, his acumen in fore- casting results and anticipating effects was due to a perfect knowledge of the intricate workings of the law of supply and demand, and the appli- cation of correct business principles. He was never hasty in marking out a course, but possessed the conservativeness of a man who wanted to be
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HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS.
sure of his ground before he went ahead. Once satisfied as to that, he pursued his course with unswerving energy and undeviating persistency. Major Kauffman was attorney for the corpora- tions mentioned and for many others, and few men of the state have had a more comprehensive or accurate knowledge of corporation law.
The political allegiance of Major Kauffman was given to the Republican party. He was without personal ambition to hold public office, regarding the duties of a private citizen as em- inently worthy of his best efforts. Few men out- side of political circles had a borader or more comprehensive knowledge of the questions and issues of the day and their relation to the general good. His fellow townsmen, had he so desired, would have honored him with many public po- sitions within their gift, and he was several times mentioned for the position of mayor. He de- clined to become a candidate on one occasion, however, because he did not wish to run against his brother-in-law, the late Dr. E. G. Martin. He once served as councilman of the second word, and while in Europe in 1891 he was nominated by the Republican party for the position of dele- gate to the proposed constitutional convention. In early manhood he delivered many political addresses, presenting his cause with earn- estness and force from the platform, but in later years was more of a political counselor than an active party worker. He was, however, fre- quently sent as a delegate to the Republican state conventions.
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